What Is Environmental Health?

Environmental health comprises those aspects of human health, including quality of life, that are determined by physical, chemical, biological, social and psychosocial factors in the environment.  It also refers to the theory and practice of assessing, correcting, controlling and preventing those factors in the environment that can potentially affect adversely the health of present and future generations.

Functions of Environmental Health

As prescribed by the Regulation 698 of 26 June 2009 the Environmental Health department is responsible for facilitating the following functions:

• Water quality monitoring
• Food Control
• Waste Management and General Hygiene Monitoring
• Health Surveillance of Premises
• Communicable Disease Surveillance and Prevention
• Vector Control Monitoring
• Environmental Pollution Control
• Disposal Of the Dead
• Chemical Safety

Municipal Health Services Management Contact Details

• Senior Manager: Municipal Health Services: Surene Grootboom: 022 495 0768 / email: sigrootboom@wcdm.co.za
• Regional Manager: Environmental Health: Swartland Region: Andre Scott: 022 495 0711 / email: health@wcdm.co.za
• Regional Manager: Environmental Health: Saldanha Bay Region: Devon Bruiners: 022 495 0743 / email: dbruiners@wcdm.co.za
• Regional Manager: Environmental Health: Bergrivier Region: Christo Kotze: 022 783 1893 / email: cjkotze@wcdm.co.za
• Regional Manager: Environmental Health: Matzikama Region: Hans Swart: 027 495 0238 / email: hswart@wcdm.co.za
• Regional Manager: Environmental Health: Cederberg Region: Heinrich De Wee: 0274950334 / email: hdewee@wcdm.co.za
• Air Quality: Manager: Cindy Ganten-Bein: 022 495 0744 / email: cgbein@wcdm.co.za
• Coastal and Environmental Management: Charles Malherbe: 022 495 0792 / email: cjmalherbe@wcdm.co.za

Legislative Mandate Implemented by Environmental Health Department

• National Health Act, 61 of 2003
• Scope of the Profession for Environmental Health, Regulation 698 of 26 June 2009
• National Environmental Health Norms & Standards, 2015
• Foodstuffs, Cosmetics & Disinfectants, Act 54 of 1972
• Regulations Relating to the Management of Human Remains, Regulation 363 of 22 May 2013
• Regulations Relating to the Powers and Duties of Inspectors and Analysts
  Conducting Inspections and Analysis on Foodstuffs and at Food Premises, Regulation 328 of 20 April 2007
• Regulations Governing General Hygiene Requirements for Food Premises, The Transport of Food and Related Matters, Regulation 638 of 22 June 2018