Grant County Health District

10/16/2026

What if the tap ran dry?

A day without water is a day without a morning shower to start the day, fresh produce, or parks and green spaces.

Water is the foundation of public health and community well-being and we all play an important role in protecting water’s future.

Today is . This day challenges us to rethink the role of water in our personal lives and professional ecosystems. We’re proud to shine a light on why water is invaluable. 💧

Learn more: https://thevalueofwater.org/imagineaday

10/15/2026

Washing your hands is easy—and it's one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Studies have shown that handwashing can prevent 1 in 3 diarrhea-related sicknesses and 1 in 5 respiratory infections, such as a cold or the flu. 🦠

Follow these five steps every time you wash your hands.

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

🫧

10/14/2026

There are two household hazardous waste collection events in Grant County this month! Check out the flyer linked below to see what types of materials are accepted.

Do you have unwanted paint or chemicals that you want to dispose of?

If so, take them to a Grant County household hazardous waste collection event scheduled in October. Please note that these events are for Grant County households only.

The first event is scheduled for Friday, October 23 from 12 pm to 3 pm at Grant County Road District Shop in Mattawa.

The second will be held on Saturday, October 24 from 9 am to 2 pm at the Grant County Road District Shop at 12171-Wheeler Road near Moses Lake.

Common items accepted include paints and stains, paint thinners, aerosols, gasoline, yard chemicals, motor oil, antifreeze, and pool chemicals. Household quantities are accepted only, and limits apply for several types of waste.

Common items not accepted include containers larger than 5 gallons, empty containers, business, farm, or agency waste, lead acid batteries, and propane tanks. This list is not complete.

For more information check out the flyers found at the links below or give us a call at 509-754-6082 ext. 3508.

English Flyer
https://www.grantcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15632/HHW-Event-English---Oct-2026
Spanish Flyer
https://www.grantcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15633/HHW-Event-Spanish-Oct-2026

10/12/2026

10/12/2026

Flu can be more than a few days of feeling sick. Each year in the U.S., millions of people get sick, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized, and tens of thousands die from flu and related complications. An annual flu vaccine can help tame serious complications!

We recommend that everyone 6 months and older get the flu vaccine. See which local clinics and pharmacies have the vaccine and schedule an appointment today: https://granthealth.org/167/Flu

10/05/2026

That’s a wrap! Routine toxic algae monitoring has ended for the 2026 season. The Healthy Lakes Tracker will pause updates until next summer.

Advisories remain in effect for the Middle Moses Lake, South Moses Lake, North Moses Lake and Pelican Horn zones. Advisories will be removed once the blooms have cleared.

You can find the latest updates here: https://granthealth.org/251/Toxin-Sampling-Results

A special shoutout to Columbia Basin Conservation District! Their staff stepped in to cover locations where we didn’t have volunteers and helped keep the Healthy Lakes Tracker map updated throughout the season. Without their help, the Tracker wouldn’t have been possible this year.

And thank you to all of our volunteers and community members who helped monitor algae conditions throughout the season. You help keep this program afloat and we couldn’t do it without you! 🚣

10/02/2026

Be a Cart Strategist this ! Buy only what you need. 🛒

Meet the Cart Strategist
They buy only what they’ll actually use. Before they ever get to the store, they check the fridge, freezer, and pantry to see what’s already there. Then they shop with a list, built around that inventory, not around whatever looks good in the aisle.

That one habit kills two of the biggest sources of wasted food at once: buying food you already have (so now there are two of something that needed one), and buying food with no plan for how it’ll get used.

Know a Cart Strategist? Tag them, tag Food Waste Prevention Week, use — and don’t skip the confirmation line.

Got nominated yourself? Confirm it, post your badge, then tag, you’re it — nominate your person.

10/01/2026

This past weekend, we celebrated World Environmental Health Day. This is an extra special day at GCHD because we get to put the spotlight on our amazing environmental public health team!

This team has a hand in so many things that help keep Grant County healthy and safe. From septic systems, to pollution prevention, to food safety, their work literally covers everything from the ground to the sky!

One of the best things about this team is the passion they bring. Seriously, we’re not just saying that. You should hear Ismael talk about how he got creative to bring a food vendor's plan to life, or Brad talk about the ins and outs of septic systems. These are people who genuinely care about what they do and the communities they serve.

“GCHD is so lucky to have such a strong and knowledgeable environmental health team,” said Theresa Adkinson, GCHD Administrator. “They bring so much experience, creativity and dedication to their work, and they’re always looking for ways to make Grant County a safer and healthier place.”

Happy World Environmental Health Day to our EH team! We’re so glad you’re part of GCHD. ❤️