The Environmental Health Division (EH) at the St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) routinely receives calls and letters from county residents and visitors regarding a range of environmental public health concerns. EH evaluates each concern to determine its potential impact on community health, the validity of the complaint, and SMCHD’s jurisdictional ability to respond. After verifying the conditions cited in the concern, the department proceeds with appropriate action and/or referral to other public service agencies as necessary.

Investigation of an expressed concern could include an inspection, education, sanitary survey, laboratory samples, specialized testing equipment, etc. Confirmed complaints are addressed by either:

• meeting with the property or business owner and explaining any corrections that need to be made
• sending a written correction order with a time deadline for corrections to be made

Complaint investigations and enforcement can encompass a wide variety of health code violations covered under Maryland regulations, but the majority fall under the public health nuisance code.