County sanitarium keeps budget steady as water testing climbs

Doug Drewler, director of the Winneshiek County Sanitarium, presented the agency’s budget and activity summary, saying he did not change the budget from the prior year. Drewler told supervisors this was the third consecutive year with a mostly unchanged budget and that year‑to‑year variance is typically within about $5,000.

Drewler reviewed public‑health activity for the past year: 184 water tests, nine wells plugged, 55 septic permits, 26 well permits and 41 transfer/time inspections. He emphasized that water testing demand is climbing — "this year alone, just since July, I've done a total of, I think, 97" — and that if that level continues it would be the most he has done in 28 years.

The sanitarium offers free annual water tests for properties and also distributes test kits and instructions for homeowners who prefer to submit samples themselves to the state lab. Drewler noted last month’s testing total (35 tests) and that the office also provides septic and well permitting services related to property sales.

Board members thanked Drewler for the report; there was no budget vote at the meeting.