March 1, 2023

Help keep your community safe by reporting public health concerns

Kitsap Public Health responds to complaints regarding restaurants and other food establishments, sewage/septic issues, garbage and waste, and other potential health risks. 

No one agency can monitor for all risks at all times. Reports from community members are critical to helping us promptly respond to and resolve health hazards. Your vigilance supports our vision of making Kitsap County a safe and healthy place to live, learn, work, and play.

Scroll down to learn more about the types of reports we receive and how we respond. You can report a health concern anytime at kitsappublichealth.org/concern or by calling 360-728-2235. If you believe someone's life or health is in immediate danger, call 911. 

COUNTING COMPLAINTS

In 2022, Kitsap Public Health received more than 1,400 reports of health concerns in the county. Our team followed up on every report and closed more than 1,200 investigations. About 200 remain open as of February. 

COMMON CONCERNS AND HOW WE RESPOND

SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE

Our Solid & Hazardous Waste team responds to complaints regarding improper handling, storage, or disposal of garbage and hazardous substances. This can include garbage, ashes, industrial waste, agricultural waste, construction and demolition waste, land clearing waste, junk vehicles, equipment or their parts, and many other discarded items. 

We prioritize situations that could violate health codes and endanger public health. For example, our team responds to complaints of syringes discarded in public or private places.

We frequently receive complaints related to ongoing disputes between neighbors or between tenants and landlords. While we will investigate situations that could endanger public health, our involvement is often viewed as an escalation between the parties involved in a dispute. In these situations, we recommend residents reach out to the nonprofit Dispute Resolution Center of Kitsap County or visit the state Attorney General's landlord/tenant resources page. 

Tip: Have garbage that you're not sure how to safely get rid of? Check out our webpage or Kitsap County's "What do I do With it?" page. In addition, our Pollution Prevention Assistance program provides free waste management evaluations for small businesses. 

SEPTIC/SEWAGE POLLUTION

Our Water Pollution Identification and Correction team responds to complaints related to pollution from septic and sewage systems systems as well as animal waste. Our team works with animal and property owners to identify pollution sources and ensure repairs are made. We help connect homeowners to resources needed to fix or replace systems. 

Our team also responds to reports of spills from public sewage systems and notifies the public of significant sewage spills. These systems are regulated by the state Department of Ecology. Learn more about our role in responding to sewage spills.

Tip: We appreciate receiving reports of sewage smells, as odors be a sign of a failing system. However, it's important to note that a normally functioning septic system can generate odors. 

FOOD SAFETY & FOODBORNE ILLNESSES 

Our Food program responds to complaints about both permanent and temporary food establishments — think the coffee shop up the street from your house or a booth at the farmers market.

Our team prioritizes foodborne illness (food poisoning) reports and complaints involving unsafe food preparation or handling practices. Common violations include unsafe holding temperatures, inadequate handwashing stations, and employees without food worker cards. 

Tip: Our team inspects more than 1,300 food establishments in Kitsap County. You can find inspection reports online at kitsappublichealth.org/foodreports.

LIVING ENVIRONMENT  Our Environmental Health team fields complaints regarding unsafe conditions in places where people live and work. Here are a few common living environment concerns and related resources: Bats: Bats are a special public health concern because they can have rabies. If you think a bat has had direct contact with your bare skin, try to capture the bat and contact your healthcare provider and/or Kitsap Public Health. See our Bats & Rabies page for more information. If there is a bat infestation in your home, you may need to work with a pest control company to remove the bats.

• Mold: Mold and mildew problems are common in our region and are typically caused by water damage or dampness. Neither Washington state nor Kitsap County have laws about monitoring for mold or mold removal. Our mold page has links to information that can help homeowners, tenants, and landlords address mold issues.
   
• Bed bugs: Similar to mold concerns, Kitsap Public Health does not have legal authority to take action on bed bug complaints, but we can provide information and resources. We refer complaints regarding bed bugs in hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, resorts, inns, condominiums, crisis shelters, hostels, and retreats to the state Department of Health, which regulates those facilities. 
  
  
• Smoking and vaping in public places: Smoking and vaping are prohibited in public spaces in Kitsap and Kitsap Public Health can respond to related complaints. Learn more.
  
  
• Other topics: Check out these pages for information about lead, lice, pools and spas, school safety, and more.

LAKES, BEACHES & SWIMMING AREAS

Reports of pollution and other health concerns in surface water (lakes and streams) and swimming beaches help us protect human health and the environment. Kitsap Public Health responds to reports of fecal pollution (sewage), cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), cases of waterborne illness, and health hazards at swimming areas. 

Sign up to receive water contact advisories at kitsappublichealth.org/subscribe.

Tip: Check out our "Don't let swimming make you sick" brochure for information about preventing waterborne illnesses and potential health concerns to watch out for at swimming areas. 

HOW TO REPORT A CONCERN AND WHAT TO EXPECT

Concerns can be reported to Kitsap Public Health two ways:

• Call us at 360-728-2235.
• Make a report online:
  • Public health concerns: 
  • Food safety-specific concerns
• Reports can be made anonymously. See our website for full details. 

Once a report is made, the concern is routed to the appropriate manager and responded to by that manager as soon as possible. You may be asked to provide more information in an effort to investigate the situation reported. We appreciate as many details as we can get.

If you'd like to stay in the loop about our response to health hazards, sign up for our alert system by visiting www.kitsappublichealth.org/subscribe.

CONTACT:

Tad Sooter | Public Information Officer
Kitsap Public Health District
360-728-2330 - office | (360) 728-2235 - main
pio@kitsappublichealth.org | kitsappublichealth.org