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Environmental
Health is responsible for investigating a variety of environmental
conditions that affect the public's health, enforcing Georgia law
and county ordinances, and permitting and inspecting on-site sewage
management systems and certain types of public establishments.
On-Site
Sewage Management
On-Site
Sewage Management includes permitting
and inspection of on-site sewage management systems for residential
and commercial use, and review of subdivision developments utilizing
on-site sewage management systems.
Regulation
of on-site sewage management systems to ensure their correct
installation and proper repair helps minimize health problems
related to untreated human sewage, and helps protect groundwater,
drinking water, and surface water from harmful organisms and
chemicals that may cause people to become ill.
Systems regulated
include individual residential and commercial septic and advanced
treatment systems, small community systems (<10,000 gal of water per
day), and other on-site waste management systems, including portable
toilets and the pumpers and haulers who remove on-site waste. Both
new systems and existing systems being modified or expanded are
permitted and inspected. On-site system failures or malfunctions,
such as when raw sewage appears on top of the ground, are
investigated and all system repairs are permitted and inspected.
Not all lots are
suitable for on-site sewage management. Site reviews of individual
and subdivision lots prior to development ensure that the lots are
suitable for on-site sewage management and that installation of an
appropriate system is planned. Pre-purchase site evaluations can
also be performed.
Continuing
education is provided at various times to septic tank installers,
pumpers, soil scientists, geologists, and engineers involved in
installing, maintaining, and repairing on-site sewage management
systems.
Food Service
The Food Service Program includes
permitting and inspections of food service facilities, school
cafeterias, fairs and festivals; providing food service training;
and food-borne outbreak illness investigations.
The food service
program helps ensure the public will eat in clean, safe food service
establishments. Regular inspections ensure food supplies come from
approved and wholesome sources; that foods are prepared, stored, and
served in a safe, hygienic manner; and that food service facilities
are safe and sanitary. These activities are a critical component in
preventing food-borne illness.
If a food-borne
illness does occur, investigation into the cause is undertaken and
any correct actions are determined.
ServeSafe and other
training for food service personnel and managers are offered.
Tourist Accommodations
The
Tourist Accommodation Program involves permitting and inspections of
tourist accommodations including hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts,
and cabins.
Establishments are
routinely inspected for cleanliness of rooms, on site food service
facilities, and general safety, in order to minimize illnesses and
injuries associated with unsanitary or hazardous conditions.
Swimming Pools
The Swimming Pool Program includes
permitting and inspections of all public swimming pools, spas, and
water parks.
Safety
equipment, pool chemistry, and facility maintenance are inspected on
a regular basis to minimize illnesses and injuries associated with
contaminated or hazardous conditions in or around public swimming
pools.
Body
Art Establishments
The Body Art
Program involves permitting and inspection of tattoo parlors and
body art establishments. Many counties perform this function.
Routine
inspections of sanitary practices and general operations are carried
out to ensure the health and safety of establishment workers and
patrons. Regulations vary by county.
On-Site
Water
The On-Site Water
Program involves permitting of individual drinking water wells. Some
counties perform this function.
Permitting ensures
that drinking water wells are located according to guidelines that
minimize contamination of the water they produce.
Other Services
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Rabies
Control - investigate animal bites, ensure animal quarantine, and track the presence of the
rabies disease. Dangerous dog hearings may be held upon request
by the local Board of Health. Many counties perform this
function, particularly those not having animal control.
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Well Water
Evaluation - provide individual drinking water supply system
evaluation and bacteriological testing (by request).
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Insect-Borne
Illness - investigate and monitor mosquito-borne viral
diseases including West Nile Virus.
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Lead
Abatement - investigate possible sources of environmental or
occupational lead exposure for children showing elevated blood
lead levels.
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Environmental Health-Related Complaints
- investigate citizen complaints on health related issues,
including complaints in all program areas listed above and the
Smoke Free Air Act.
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