File a Public Health Complaint

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Air, Water, Public Pool, Restaurant and Food Truck Complaints

Issues we can investigate:

In general, we are the enforcement agency responsible for investigating complaints related to general public health threats including restaurant, food truck, public swimming pool and air and water pollution concerns.

(If you think you're ill from eating at a restaurant in Galveston County, please see the Foodborne Illness section of this page.)

How to file a complaint:

Use the form below to submit a complaint. If you prefer file a complaint over-the-phone, please call 409.938.2251 or 409.938.2411.

When it's not within our jurisdiction:

In some cases, we may not be the appropriate agency to assist you. Here are common complaints and the agencies that have jurisdiction:

Pollution around an oil well: Texas Railroad Commission - 877.228.5740
Indoor air pollution: Local city government or the Department of State Health Services
Noise pollution: Local police.
Litter, illegal trash or used oil dumping: Galveston County Nuisance Abatement - 409.766.4509

If you live in one of the following cities or counties and have an air pollution complaint, please contact the local office listed below.

Houston: Bureau of Pollution Control and Prevention - 832.393.5730
Harris County: Harris County Pollution Control Services Department - 713.920.2831
Outside Galvston County: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality -1.888.777.3186

There may be other situations when our jurisdiction is limited. In those cases, our office will attempt to direct you to another agency that can address your concerns.

Foodborne Illness Complaints

If you think you're ill from eating at a restaurant in Galveston County, it's important you quickly report it to GCHD Epidemiology. Prompt reporting gives our epidemiologists the best chance of determining the source. When you call, be prepared to offer information about your symptoms, when symptoms started, where and what you recently ate and if you have seen a doctor.

During working hours Mon-Fri 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- 409.978.4041 – Donya Guyton, Epidemiologist
- 409.938.2215 – Belinda Hernandez, Epi Data Intake Specialist
- 409.938.2208 – Sharon Stonum, Epidemiology Manager

FAQs

Do I have to provide my identity when I file a public health complaint?

All complaints are confidential. Although anonymous reports are accepted, we request your contact information so that we may contact you if we need additional information to properly address your complaint. Also, if you do not leave your contact information, we will not be able to inform you of our actions.
What happens after I file a public health complaint with GCHD?
After we’ve received your complaint and any information or evidence you have, here are the usual steps we take:
- An investigator will be in touch with you to discuss your complaint and any information or evidence you have.
- If you want to have further contact with your investigator, be sure to write down:
- In most cases, an on-site investigation will be done to see if any environmental regulations have been violated.
- If the investigation reveals a violation, we will take appropriate enforcement action to ensure that the violation is corrected. Actions could include issuing an order to correct the problem and assess a fine, or filing a lawsuit against the violator.
After I file a public health complaint, when should I expect to hear back from GCHD?

If the situation is an immediate threat to public health or the environment, we will respond within 24 hours of the complaint being received—usually much sooner.

Complaints that are not an immediate threat can take longer, but we take every complaint seriously and will investigate your concerns if it is within our jurisdiction.
What happens if I am not satisfied with the outcome of the complaint investigation?

Stay in touch with us. If you have the problem again, call and let us know. We may need to re-investigate the situation.

More FAQs

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