Jefferson County Health Department

Environmental Health

Environmental Health Services employs a public health approach in the prevention and control of environmental contaminants and disease. Monitoring programs and investigations are conducted under the authority of county ordinances and state and federal laws. Environmental Health approaches protection against illness and disease in classic public health style. In other words, prevention against the spread of disease if controlled at the source.

Environmental Health Services provides protection against the potential for illness through the regulation of the following areas:

RADON
Environmental Health Services can provide you with information concerning radon. Radon is a colorless odorless gas that is naturally emitted from the earth. The risk of lung cancer is increased with prolonged exposure of radon at unacceptable levels. Information on how to test for radon is made available by phone and mail.

BIOMEDICAL WASTE GENERATORS
Environmental Health Services inspects, permits and investigates any complaints associated with facilities that generate biomedical waste or dispose of the waste improperly. Some examples of biomedical waste generators are hospitals, doctor's offices, dentists & clinics. Facilities who generate over 25 pounds of waste per month are inspected yearly for compliance with Florida Administrative Codes. Small generators (less than 25 pounds) are inspected every three years and must apply for an exemption from the permit fee of $55.00.

MIGRANT LABOR HOUSING
Environmental Health Services inspects, permits and investigates any complaints associated with Migrant Labor. All new housing is inspected for compliance with Florida Administrative Codes prior to opening. When approval is granted a license is issued. The cost for 5-50 occupancy is $125.00, 51-100 occupancy is $225.00, and >101 occupancy is $500.00. The housing is then inspected twice quarterly during periods of occupancy to ensure compliance is maintained.

FOSTER HOMES
Environmental Health Services inspects and investigates complaints associated with the sanitary conditions of foster homes in Jefferson County. Facilities are routinely inspected prior to licensing to ensure the sanitary conditions are satisfactory.

INSTITUTIONAL FACILITIES
Environmental Health Services inspects and investigates any complaints associated with the sanitary conditions of the physical plant in institutional facilities such as Nursing Homes, Adult Living Facilities (ALF), Jails, Detention Centers, and Residential Group Homes in Jefferson County. All new facilities must be approved prior to construction. There are no costs for this. After construction the facility is inspected for compliance with Florida Administrative Codes prior to opening. When approval is granted the facility is then routinely inspected to ensure compliance is maintained.

INDOOR AIR
Environmental Health Services investigates illness complaints involving indoor air in residential settings (e.g. homes, apartments, hotels, nursing homes etc.). A variety of information is provided to assist the complainant in determining the cause of the problem and possible solutions.

TRAILER PARK & RV PARKS
Environmental Health Services inspects, permits and investigates any complaint associated with Trailer/RV Park and Recreational Camps in Jefferson County. All new parks and camps must submit plans for review prior to opening. There are no costs for this. Prior to opening they are inspected for compliance with Florida Administrative Codes. When approval is granted a license is issued for the cost of $3.50/space (minimum $50.00 & maximum of $500.00) for Trailer/RV Parks and $50 for a Recreational Camp. The parks and camps are then routinely inspected to ensure compliance is maintained.

RABIES SURVEILLANCE
All animal bites are required to be reported to Environmental Health Services at 3424-0170. The animal (excluding wild animals) in question is quarantined for 10 days from the date of the bite or exposure and then released if in good health. The victim of the bite or exposure is notified that the animal is in good health after the 10 days and that rabies is not a concern.

Animals involved in a bite or exposure are checked for current tags and vaccinations. Environmental Health Services works closely with Jefferson County Animal Services to ensure animals have current tags and vaccinations.

In circumstances where the animal bite or exposure incident indicates the probability of rabies infection, provisions are made for the humane sacrifice of the animal and a subsequent examination. Test results are reported to the exposed patient and appropriate control measures are taken.

SWIMMING POOL & BATHING AREAS
Environmental Health Services inspects, permits and investigates any complaint associated with public swimming pools and bathing areas in Jefferson County. All new swimming pools must submit engineered plans for review prior to construction at the cost of $275.00. After construction the pool is inspected for compliance with Florida Administrative Codes prior to opening. When approval is granted a license is issued. The cost for pools greater than 25,000 gallons is $160.00 & less than 25,000 gallons is $75.00. Approved bathing areas are monitored and permitted for the cost of $160.00. The swimming pools and approved bathing areas are then routinely inspected to ensure compliance is maintained.

TANNING SALONS
Environmental Health Services inspects, permits and investigates any complaint associated with tanning salons in Jefferson County. All new tanning salons must submit plans for review prior to operation. There are no costs. Prior to opening, the salon is inspected for compliance with Florida Administrative Codes. When approval is granted a license is issued. The cost is $150/business (one bed) and $55/each additional bed (the maximum fee is $315.00). The tanning salon is then routinely inspected to ensure compliance is maintained.

FOODBORNE ILLNESS
Environmental Health Services investigates all illness complaints involving foods or beverages. Complaints may also warrant a laboratory-assisted investigation if they meet at least one of the following criteria:

• An incident in which two or more persons have the same disease, have similar symptoms, or excrete the same pathogens; and there is a time, place or person association between these persons.
• A single case of suspected botulism, a confirmed case of Vibrio vulnificus or Vibrio cholera, a single case of mushroom poisoning or a case of ciguatera or paralytic shellfish poisoning may be considered an incident warranting further investigation.
• A physician requests laboratory services specific to an individual's symptoms associated with a suspect food poisoning.

Complaints arising from the consumption of foods prepared in private homes generally have no potential for public exposure and usually are not considered for laboratory investigation.

INSTITUTIONAL FACILITIES
Environmental Health Services inspects, permits and investigates all complaints associated with the food service in institutional facilities such as Hospital, Nursing Homes, Adult Living Facilities (ALF), Jails, Detention Centers, and Residential Group Homes in Jefferson County. All new facilities must submit food service plans for review prior to construction with the fee of $35.00. After construction the facility is inspected for compliance with Florida Administrative Codes prior to opening. When approval is granted a license is issued. The cost for Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Jails and Detention Centers is $210.00. For ALF's and Residential Group Homes is $110.00. The facility is then routinely inspected to ensure compliance is maintained.

SCHOOLS
Environmental Health Services inspects, permits and investigates any complaint associated with the food service of public and private schools in Jefferson County. All new schools must submit food service plans for review prior to construction. The cost is $35.00. After construction the school is inspected for compliance with Florida Administrative Codes prior to opening. When approval is granted a license is issued and the cost is $130.00. The school is then routinely inspected to ensure compliance is maintained.

BARS / THEATERS / CIVIC / FRATERNAL / NON-PROFIT
Environmental Health Services inspects, permits and investigates any complaints associated with bars, lounges (having no food service), theater (this does not include cinema with sit down food service), Civic/Fraternal organizations, and non-profit religious organizations (offering food service to the general public) in Jefferson County. All new establishments must submit food service plans for review prior to construction. The cost is $35.00. After construction the establishment is inspected for compliance with Florida Administrative Codes prior to opening. When approval is granted a license is issued for the cost of $160.00. The establishment is then inspected routinely to ensure compliance is maintained.

CHILD CARE FACILITIES
Environmental Health Services inspects and investigates any food service complaints associated with Child Care Facilities in Jefferson County. All new facilities must submit food service plans for review prior to construction. The cost is $35.00. After construction the establishment is inspected for compliance with Florida Administrative Codes prior to opening. The facility is then routinely inspected to ensure compliance is maintained.

WATERBORNE ILLNESS
Environmental Health Services investigates illness complaints involving drinking water. Complaints may also warrant a laboratory-assisted investigation if they meet at least one of the following criteria:

• An incident in which two or more persons have the same disease, have similar symptoms, or excrete the same pathogens; and there is a time, place or person association between these persons.
• A physician requests laboratory services specific to an individual's symptoms associated with a suspect waterborne disease.

SUPER ACT PROGRAM
Environmental Health Services monitors and investigates any complaints involving drinking water wells associated with petroleum by-products and other contamination. Water is sampled and analyzed for contaminants and any persons affected are notified as to the potential health risks.

PRIVATE DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS
Environmental Health Services inspects and investigates any complaints involving private drinking water wells in Jefferson County.

PUBLIC DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS
Environmental Health Services inspects, permits and investigates any complaints associated with public drinking water wells in Jefferson County (city/county municipal systems, trailer parks, food services, child care facilities, business offices. etc.). All new public drinking water wells installed must have plans submitted for review prior to construction. After construction, the wells are monitored for bacteriological and chemical compliance and are inspected yearly.

SEPTIC SYSTEM INSTALLATIONS
Environmental Health Services inspects, permits and investigates any complaint associated with septic systems in Jefferson County. All persons who install new or repair on-site sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSDTS) must first obtain approval from this department. 

SEPTAGE PUMPING SERVICES
Environmental Health Services inspects, permits and investigates any complaint associated with septage disposal in Jefferson County. Septage land spread disposal sites and pumping companies are inspected and evaluated for compliance's with Florida Administrative Codes prior to permitting. When approval is granted a license is issued. The fee for pumping companies is $50/services plus $25/truck; the fee for septic tank manufacturers is $100.00. The fee for a lime stabilization facility is $150.00). The fee for a disposal site is $100.00. The sites, companies, and manufacturers are then routinely inspected to ensure compliance is maintained.

PETROLEUM STORAGE TANK PROGRAM

Environmental Health Services information is available by calling 342-0170.