Public health helps protect our environment so people can live healthy lives. This means making sure the air, water, food, and buildings around us aren’t making us sick. Keeping the places we live, work and play clean and safe helps everyone feel better and stay well.

One way public health keeps people safe is by checking water and air. Breathing polluted air or drinking unsafe water can cause health problems. Public health teams can test for things like bacteria in water or radon gas in homes. They can also check for things that could make people sick, like mold, bugs, lead paint, or unsafe food storage in homes, schools and restaurants. If they find something harmful, they let people know and can share resources to fix the issue.

Public health also teaches people how to protect our environment. Public Health staff can show how to safely get rid of harmful items like old paint, batteries or medicines. They are also here to help during emergencies like chemical spills or big storms.

When the places around us are clean and safe, it helps everyone stay healthy. Public health teams do this work every day to protect people. By keeping the environment safe, public health helps build stronger and healthier communities for everyone.

Le Sueur County Public Health

Andrew Nicolin, a Registered Environmental Health Specialist, works to help keep drinking water clean in Le Sueur and Waseca Counties. He recently helped improve the water at a local business to make it safer for staff and customers.

Many people in Le Sueur and Waseca Counties get their drinking water from private wells. Unlike city water systems, private wells are not checked as often. Harmful substances can be in the water without changing the way it looks, tastes, or smells.

Nicolin worked with a business owner who was worried about the safety of their water. He tested the water and found bacteria in the well. A simple process was used to disinfect and clean the well. The treatment worked, and the water improved.

Healthy communities start with clean and safe water. Regular well testing can help keep your water safe and protect the health of your family, friends, and community.