Title
Vote to approve the removal of the well camera service and associated fee from the Environmental Health Division
Abstract
Action Requested: Vote to approve the removal of the well camera service and associated fee from the Environmental Health Division.
Introduction & Background: The Chatham County Public Health Department (CCPHD) purchased a well camera between 2007 and 2008, at a time when many well drillers did not have a well camera to diagnose water quality issues. The current well camera is outdated and needs servicing or replacing prior to being used again, which is estimated to cost thousands of dollars.
Current demand does not justify this expenditure and continuing the service, as most if not all well drillers now have their own cameras. CCPHD Environmental Health staff completed 22 well camera visits between 2009 and 2015, and the last visit was conducted in 2018. Furthermore, recent conversations with well drillers revealed that it is more expensive for clients to go through the CCPHD than using the well driller’s camera, as the CCPHD requires the well driller to be on site to either draw the water down in the well or to remove the water line to make space for the camera in addition to paying the associated service fee to the CCPHD of $200.00. Regardless of the camera being used, CCPHD Environmental Health staff can still join the well driller if the homeowner would like them on site to evaluate the issue with the well driller.
Discussion & Analysis: The well camera is no longer needed based on cost to the clients and the availability of cameras through other channels.
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: N/A
Budgetary Impact: No Local Funding Requested
Recommendation/Motion: Motion to approve the removal of the well camera service and associated fee from the Environmental Health Division.