Behrens

Tama County recently welcomed in a new face to the Public Health Department. Chris Behrens of rural Clutier began work in May as the Tama County Environmental Health Officer, sometimes referred to as the County Sanitarian.

Behrens takes over the part-time position from Todd Apfel who resigned earlier in the spring. Apfel held the part-time post since 2014 and remains as the zoning administrator for Tama County.

Much of the work of the county’s environmental health officer is focused on rural water wells, septic systems, well plugging, water testing, pool inspection, indoor air, septic and nuisance issues, and issuing permits in accordance with state and local ordinances.

Well plugging financial assistance is available through the Grants-to-Counties program.

The Environmental Health Officer is part of the Tama County Public Health and Home Care Office and receives administrative aid from the office staff at TCPH.

Behrens, a Tama County native, is an engineer with Waterloo Fire Rescue. He and his wife Andrea live in east central Tama County and have three children, all in their late teens and early 20s.

He said he was interested in the opportunity because of a love of the outdoors and environmental conservation. The on-call nature of Behrens’ work as a fireman allows him to remain flexible and accessible to residents and contractors in his role as environmental health officer.

One of Behrens’ biggest tasks in the coming months is assisting property owners and contractors with septic system design and installation during construction season.

On average Tama County sees around 50 septic system installations per year in rural areas unable to connect to municipal utilities, whether the property be new construction or an existing home seeking to replace their system.

Behrens will work to make sure site analysis and soil sampling is completed with septic system installations to make sure the system is the best fit for the environment around it and not posing a hazard to waterways.

Behrens encourages rural property owners to be vigilant of their water and septic systems.

“Most of the time, people don’t think about it, but just because your toilet is flushing and your drain is draining water, doesn’t necessarily mean other problems might not be occuring further down the system that might warrant attention,” Behrens said. “I understand it can be easy to put off checking and testing those systems, but a little bit of thought and effort can go a long way to preventing major issues.”

Behrens said regular preventative maintenance on septic systems such as regular pumping and cleaning of filters can do a lot to help systems work longer and be more efficient.

According to the Center for Disease Control, private wells should be tested once a year or anytime there is a noticeable change in the smell, look or taste of the water. Property owners with a private well can request water testing from the county environmental health officer for a small fee.

Those with questions or concerns for the county environmental health officer can reach Behrens by call or text at 641-481-3550.