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Elbert County public-health director reports growing clinic use, OWTS permits and asks board to delay adopting gray-water rules
Summary
Public health director Sarah McIntosh told commissioners that clinic revenue and patient visits rose in 2025, the county issued roughly 650 onsite wastewater-treatment (OWTS) permits last year, and recommended the county delay adopting new state-authorized gray-water rules until staff can assess administrative burden; she also announced a WIC partnership with Douglas County Health.
Sarah McIntosh, Elbert County public-health director, presented the board’s quarterly public-health update on Jan. 28, reporting higher clinic revenue and program growth, and asking the board for time to study several state-driven regulatory changes before adopting local rules.
McIntosh said clinic revenue rose by about $25,000 year-over-year and patient visits increased to 968 from 771 the prior year. She reported roughly 650 OWTS (onsite wastewater treatment system) permits were pulled in the past year with about 260 resulting inspections, producing roughly $175,000 in revenue tied to OWTS activity.
On state regulatory changes, McIntosh asked the board to delay adopting local rules to allow staff time to evaluate administrative and enforcement burdens. She specifically referenced a state law (transcribed in the meeting as "House Bill 20 four-thirteen 62") that went into effect Jan. 1 and authorizes grey/gray-water system installation and limited uses; McIntosh recommended prohibiting gray-water locally for now and reassessing after reviewing other counties’ implementations rather than immediately launching a local program that could create an unfunded administrative burden.
McIntosh also described pending discussions about biosolids (the state-managed program that allows treated city wastewater to be amended into agricultural soils), and reported that one local site is in storage status under state permission, which has raised local concerns about runoff. She asked the board to schedule a follow-up meeting to discuss options for county oversight and public engagement prior to adoption of any local regulations.
On services, McIntosh announced a new partnership with Douglas County Health to provide WIC services monthly at the Elizabeth Public Library to improve access for residents. She also said the department recently received a grant to address chronic-disease funding and expects a county health-needs assessment in the next three to four months. McIntosh recommended an additional environmental-health staff position as OWTS and regulatory responsibilities grow.
Commissioners asked about breakeven prospects for clinic and OWTS revenue; McIntosh said the programs are approaching cost coverage but would benefit from an additional staff member to manage increasing permitting and data needs. The board accepted the information and agreed to coordinate short-term work sessions to examine regulatory options and staff capacity.
McIntosh closed by offering contact details for reporting public-health concerns and noted ongoing outreach and community-engagement steps ahead of any regulatory adoption.
