Environmental Public Health

Environmental Public Health (EPH) works to prevent diseases of environmental origin, focusing on prevention, preparedness, and education. EPH measures are implemented through routine monitoring, education, surveillance, and sampling of facilities and conditions that may contribute to the occurrence or transmission of disease. Authority for this program stems from the Legislature through Chapter 381, Florida Statutes. A brief overview of program areas is provided below, with more details available by clicking on the topic in the left menu.

For more information on environmental health programs, please visit the Florida Department of Health's website or call 863-382-7341.

Program Areas 

Biomedical Waste

• Issues operating permits and conducts annual or triennial inspections for all biomedical waste generators, storage facilities, and transporters

Body Piercing, Tattoo, and Tanning Salons

• Issues annual operating licenses and conducts annual santiation and safety inspections for these faclities
• Ensures minors are not allowed to use tanning or body piercing services without parental consent

Drinking Water

• Provides plan reviews and permitting services for private, multi-family, and Limited Use Public Water Systems (LUPWS) that make water available to the public
• Performs annual permitting and inspection services
• Ensures drinking water systems comply with quarterly bacteriological testing requirements

Environmental Complaints

• Investigates complaints of sanitary nuisances, and some food and waterborne disease outbreaks

Food Hygiene

• Provides plan reviews
• Conducts inspections for regulated food service establishments
• Inspects food service establishments: public and private schools, bars/lounges, civic/fraternal organizations, migrant labor camps, adult day care centers, residential and group living facilities, detention facilities, and theaters
• Ensures food establishments have a safe water supply and wastewater disposal system, obtain food supplies from approved sources, and keep foods at safe temperatures and free from contamination

Group Care

• Conducts annual sanitation and safety inspections on all schools (public and private)
• Conducts annual sanitation and safety inspections on community-based residential facilities

Mobile Home/Recreational Vehicle Parks

• Provides plan reviews
• Conducts biannual sanitation and safety inspections
• Issues annual operating permits to all mobile home and RV parks in the county

On-Site Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (OSTDS)

This program now operates under the Department of Environmental Protection.

• Ensures proper installation, permitting, and operation of OSTDS (septic tanks)
• Issues annual operating permits to businesses on septic systems
• Conducts annual sanitation and safety inspections

SUPER Act/Well Surveillance

• Tests drinking water wells within a 1/4 mile of petroleum storage tanks and dry cleaning faclities for possible contamination

Public Swimming Pools and Spas

• Ensures public pools and spas are constructed to conform to health codes
• Issues annual operating permits
• Conducts biannual inspections