Pillars of Governmental Environmental Public Health | A Guide to Scalable Environmental Public Health Programs
Education/Training/Certifications This program area shows flexibility in educational require - ments, with a bachelor’s degree in science being the pre- ferred qualification. Though the REHS/RS credential was recognized as valuable across all programs, there was no strong consensus for this program. Essential qualifications include passing the Certified Pool Operator and Certified Pool Inspector examinations. Practical training through shadowing experienced inspectors is highly recommended, with programs typically requiring 25–30 supervised inspec - tions before allowing independent work. This hands-on approach ensures new inspectors develop competency in identifying violations and understanding facility operations
can properly use their water testing equipment rather than inspectors carrying duplicate supplies. Essential equipment includes pool water chemistry test kits and tape measures for verifying compliance with spacing requirements for fencing and water depth mark- ings. Some programs have invested in optical scanners that replace traditional water chemistry test strips. While these scanners require additional time and supplies such as chemical tablets, they can be useful for inspectors and operators who have difficulty interpreting color-based test results. Some agencies test for microbiological contamina- tion in water and, therefore, require some type of labora- tory capacity or partnership to perform those tests. Funding Sources/Barriers Swimming pools and recreational water safety pro- grams are typically funded through permit and inspec- tion fees, often supplemented by general municipal funding. According to the research, this fee-based model generally provides adequate revenue for cur- rent program operations. Some programs operate on a consultative basis rather than an enforcement basis, with enforcement occurring at a different jurisdictional level. In these cases, operators might use consulta- tive inspections as preparation for official enforcement inspections. This arrangement might have implications for funding and staffing, as the need for consultative activities can be less predictable without the direct enforcement component.
Equipment Needs
Equipment for swimming pools and recreational water safety programs typically serves as backup to the equip- ment that operators are required to maintain. Programs find it more useful to verify that operators possess and
Onsite Wastewater
Program Overview and Core Services/Activities
PROGRAM
RECOMMENDED WORKLOAD
EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS
EQUIPMENT
KEY METRICS
Onsite Wastewater
4–5 activities per week
• Bachelor’s in science • REHS/RS credential • Installer training programs
• Soil augers and rock hammers • Tile probes and levels • GPS units and CAD software • Sludge judge sampler • Cameras • Mobile technology and inspection forms
• Contaminated wells ratio • Permit review timelines • System failure reports
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