October 2018: Direct From CDC/ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Services
Direct From CDC/ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Services Column
October 2018 Journal of ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ (Volume 81, Number 3)
Editor's Note: NEHA strives to provide up-to-date and relevant information on environmental health and to build partnerships in the profession. In pursuit of these goals, we feature a column on environmental health services from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in every issue of the Journal.
In these columns, authors from CDC's Water, Food, and ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Services Branch, as well as guest authors, will share insights and information about environmental health programs, trends, issues, and resources. The conclusions of these columns are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of CDC.
Direct From CDC/EHS: Benefits of Collaboration Between a County Health Department and a Local University in North Carolina
Samantha Dye, MSEH, REHS, Gaston County Department of Health and Human Services
Max Zarate-Bermudez, MSc, MPH, PhD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Description
Groundwater quality is of great importance in the U.S. to protect public health. In Gaston County, North Carolina, more than 8,000 households use private wells for their drinking water supplies. The Gaston County Department of Health and Human Services (GCDHHS) implements and enforces state rules and regulations on private wells. To address resource constraints, GCDHHS is working with partners to evaluate groundwater quality and protect human health. Through a funding opportunity from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Safe Water for Community Health (Safe WATCH) Program, GCDHHS is working with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to enhance its ability to assess and manage groundwater issues. The goal is to help private well users reduce exposures to potential contaminants in their water. This month's column explores the collaboration, the challenges faced, and the achievements to date.