Ogle County Health Department

08/25/2026

is one month away! This year’s event is the 14th annual SepticSmart Week, and will run from September 14-18, 2026. The week provides a prime opportunity for septic system stakeholders nationwide to educate others about the necessity of properly caring for and maintaining septic systems.

You’ll see homeowner education events, sponsored workshops, septic-focused social media, and hopefully plenty of proclamations from government entities recognizing the occasion throughout the week. Head to the SepticSmart Week hub at the US EPA website to learn more about participating, find educational materials, and start to make a plan for what you can do during SepticSmart Week.

You may also want to check out our blog posts from previous years ⬇️

Septic System Disasters: Cautionary Tales from the Tank: https://decentralizedwastewater.org/septic-system-disasters-cautionary-tales-from-the-tank/
Getting Ready for SepticSmart Week: https://decentralizedwastewater.org/getting-ready-for-septicsmart-week-2024/

Be sure to keep an eye out for new SepticSmart content from us too!

08/19/2026

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is hosting a webinar, “Protecting Every Child: Universal Blood Lead Testing in Illinois,” to share upcoming changes to childhood lead testing standards effective July 1, 2026.

Hear from IDPH Lead Program experts Kert McAfee and Aubrey Dove as they cover the new legislation, lead exposure education, and statewide resources for families and communities.
Join us and stay informed!

Tuesday, August 25th, 12pm to 1pm. Please register at this link: https://illinois.webex.com/weblink/register/rbecb8bf056a70962dcf82ec758f27335

08/17/2026

IEMA has an interactive map of Radon results 2003-2019. Ogle County is shown below. If you haven't tested your home, the Ogle County Health Department has test kits for $10 each for pick up at 907 Pines Rd in Oregon. The second link below is a list of licensed Radon professionals.

From IEMA, "Disclaimer and Purpose. This map is NOT intended to be used to determine if a home in a given county or zip code should be tested for radon. Homes with elevated levels of radon have been found throughout the state of Illinois. ALL Homes Should Be Tested regardless of geographic location.

The data presented is taken from annual reports submitted by licensed measurement and mitigation professionals. The measurement data includes calendar years 2003 - 2019. The mitigation data includes calendar years 2005 - 2011. The measurement data includes only the highest measurement for each address that was submitted. Data collected from measurements performed by homeowners will be included in future updates of the website.

Measurements can be found by either County or Zip Code."
https://ilema.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/93e4f4824a4046b48d1f35b7226069a8 #
Licensed Radon Professionals: https://public.iema.state.il.us/Radon/Home/LicenseIndex

08/02/2026

07/31/2026

Fight the Bite Friday
Tiny doesn't mean harmless.

The ticks in these photos are larvae—the earliest active stage in a tick's life cycle. They're about the size of a poppy seed, making them easy to overlook after spending time outdoors.

Whether you're hiking, gardening, camping, or simply enjoying your backyard, a few simple habits can help protect you and your family:

Use an EPA-registered insect repellent.
Wear long sleeves and pants when possible in grassy or wooded areas.
Check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks after being outdoors.
Shower soon after coming inside to help wash away unattached ticks and make it easier to spot any that may be crawling on you.

A quick tick check only takes a few minutes and it can make a big difference.