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Septic Systems
Environmental
Health issues permits for new, replacement and additions to
septic systems and evaluate
existing systems for compliance with all local and state laws and
ordinances, as needed.
Beach
Advisories
Environmental
specialist test the waters of nine Charlotte County beaches each week.
Depending on the bacteria levels, a swimming advisory may be issued and
posted signs are used to advise the
community.
Public Pools
and Bathing Places
Environmental
Health inspects and permits over 250 public pools and spas in motels,
condo/apartment complexes, health clubs, schools, and
mobile home parks in our
community at least twice each year. Each site must comply with state
standards for pool construction, maintenance, water chemistry, and
safety equipment. The department offers pool schools to train pool
operators on maintenance and code compliance.
Small Public
Supply Wells/Residential Well Water Testing
This program
monitors wells owned by businesses or wells that serve more than two
rental units to ensure that quality and construction standards are met.
Environmental specialists sample public and private
water systems for contamination by
bacteria, lead, and nitrates. Water
testing is also available to the public.
Food Hygiene
Services
The Florida
Department of Health regulates the
institutional food operations in
schools, group care facilities,
hospitals, jails, fraternal organizations and lounges that do not
serve food. These establishments are inspected four times each year for
equipment and sanitation practices; specialists investigate reports of
food-borne illness outbreaks. Food Handler’s training is offered
periodically at a participating facility.
The Department of
Business and Professional Regulation (1-800-226-7359) handles the
inspection of restaurants.
Agriculture and Consumer Services (1-800-435-7352) regulates grocery
and convenience stores.
Foster Homes
Based on requests
from the
Department of Children and Families, Environmental Specialists
conduct safety and sanitation
inspections on private homes where children, the elderly, or
mentally handicapped persons may be placed.
Mobile Home
Parks / Recreational Vehicle Parks
Environmental
Health issues annual operating permits to
Mobile Home/RV Parks,
campgrounds, and recreational facilities. The site, water supply,
sewage/garbage disposal, sanitary facilities, maintenance, and pest
control are inspected twice a year.
Storage Tanks /
Superact
Leaking petroleum
storage tanks can contaminate the ground, and the groundwater we drink.
Environmental health inspectors conduct site visits to ensure that
storage tanks meet the
required standards, and that new tanks are built with state of the art
equipment.
The
State Underground Petroleum
Environmental Response Act (SUPER Act), provides funds to
investigate and clean up leaking gasoline storage tanks. When a leak is
suspected, a specialist will take water samples from surrounding wells
to determine if the water has been contaminated. If wells are
contaminated, the Health Department leads the way in correcting the
problem.
Sanitary
Nuisances
Environmental
Health investigates nuisance complaints
from the public which involve septic problems such as sewage on the
ground or other concerns about unsanitary conditions. To submit a
complaint, call 743-1266. To report disease, contact
epidemiology or call
941-639-1181.
Other Services
Environmental
Health provides information and referral service to
other agencies. Issues may include
sewage, waste disposal, pollution, public buildings, occupational
health, consumer product safety, radiologic health, indoor air quality,
toxic substances, animal and insect borne diseases.
How are we doing? Fill out our
Environmental Health client
satisfaction survey.
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