For more information, forms & applications relating to any of the above please visit: www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/index.html
Other Useful Links:
This is the main site to all Environmental Health programs: http://www.myfloridaeh.com/
For information regarding red tide, algal blooms, and other aquatic toxins: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/aquatic/index.html
To report dead birds to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: http://myfwc.com/bird/
This site contains information about Smart Growth and its principals: http://www.smartgrowth.org/about/default.asp?res=800
To learn about Food Manager Certification for DOH regulated facilities only: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/food/foodmanager.htm
Use this link to find information pertaining to a certain property’s septic system: www.septicsearch.com
OSTDS
Description: Onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS) are permitted and
inspected by Environmental Health Inspectors. To ensure systems are installed and
repaired in a manner that reduces the chances of pollution of ground and surface water
supplies, all persons who want to perform an installation or repair must first get approval
and specifications from the Health Department. Proper installation and repairs protect
ground and surface waters, thereby reducing the potential for the spread of infectious
disease. For more information call the Gulf County Health Department or visit the
Department of Health Website.
FOOD HYGIENE
Description: The food hygiene program ensures food establishments, regulated by the
Department of Health (DOH), operate in a safe and sanitary manner in compliance with all
applicable regulations. Food service facilities inspected by DOH are: school cafeterias, day
care centers, bars, movie theaters, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and nursing homes.
The Gulf County Health Department also investigates all illness complaints involving foods
or beverages.For more information call the Gulf County Health Department or visit the
Department of Health Website.
BEACH WATER QUALITY
Description: The beach water sampling and public notification program monitors the
quality of Gulf County beaches at nine locations. These sites are sampled weekly for
bacteria that could be an indicator of pollution that may cause illness to swimmers. The
results are posted on the Florida Department of Health website
GROUP CARE
Description: The Gulf County environmental health staff ensures high standards related to
the construction, operation and maintenance of group care facilities. Children, the elderly
and ill persons living in group care facilities comprise a portion of the population that is
more susceptible to disease. Facilities such as childcare centers, assisted living facilities,
residential facilities, foster homes and schools are inspected regularly to reduce the risk of
disease transmission to residents, workers and visitors.For more information call the Gulf
County Health Department or visit the Department of Health Website.
MOBILE HOME & RV PARKS
Description: The mobile home and recreational vehicle parks program ensures parks
regulated by the Department of Health operate in a safe and sanitary manner so the risk of
illness and injury in this residential environment is minimized. These inspections are
conducted to ensure safe drinking water supplies, proper disposal of solid and liquid waste,
a clean and safe swimming pool (where provided), rodent and insect control, and sanitary
toilet and bathing facilities. These facilities are permitted and inspected at least twice a
year. For more information call the Gulf County Health Department or visit the
Department of Health Website.
RABIES CONTROL
Description: All animal bites within Gulf County should be reported to the rabies control
program for investigation and follow-up. Animal bites are investigated to prevent the
spread of rabies in the pet population and to humans. While rare, this disease is of great
public health concern since it is almost always fatal. Rabies vaccination of pet animals by a
licensed veterinarian is extremely important, and required by law in the State of Florida.
All animal bites, regardless of severity, must be reported to the Gulf County
Environmental Health Department (GCEHD). The information collected in these reports
helps to determine whether human anti-rabies vaccine is called for as a precaution to
prevent infection by the rabies virus. If conditions warrant it, biting animals are tested for
the rabies virus by one of the Department of Health's regional laboratories.
To report an animal report bite please call GCEHD at (850) 227-1276 ext 125.
SANITARY NUISANCE
Description: The sanitary nuisance complaint program ensures the investigation and
abatement of various types of sanitary nuisances reported to the Gulf County Health
Department. These complaints are received from the general public or other government
agencies. The types of complaints investigated are related to unsanitary conditions caused
by sewage, water, food, and solid waste. The department investigates the complaints and
ensures corrective action is taken.
For more information call the Gulf County Health Department or visit the Department of
Health Website.
TANNING FACILITIES
Description: The Gulf County Health Department monitors the operation of all public
tanning facilities in Gulf County. These facilities are regulated under Florida
Administrative Code, Chapter 64E-17. All of the tanning devices (beds and booths) are
inspected at least twice a year. This helps to ensure that:
· The facility itself is being maintained in a safe and sanitary manner
· The beds, bulbs and timers are working properly
· Client information records are being kept up-to-date
· Warning signs are in locations visible to tanning clients
· All employees of the facilities are properly trained.
Tanning salon operators must successfully complete a State of Florida approved
certification course before applying for an annual operating permit from the Health
Department. For more information about permitting requirements, please contact the
Gulf County Health Department Environmental Health office or visit the Department of
Health Website.
SWIMMING POOLS
Description: The swimming pool and bathing place program ensures swimming pools and
bathing places, regulated by the Gulf County Health Department, are operated in a safe
and sanitary manner so the risk of disease and injury is minimized. Swimming pools,
water parks, and bathing places, which are open to the public, are permitted and
inspected. Water is tested for proper levels of sanitizing and balancing chemicals, such as
chlorine levels and pH. These inspections are conducted twice a year at a minimum.
For more information call the Gulf County Health Department or visit the Department of
Health Website.
WATER SERVICES
Description: Limited Use Well Program
Florida’s groundwater supply and surface waters are vulnerable to a wide array of
contaminants, both natural and man-made. Through routine inspections, Environmental
Health staff ensures that drinking water supplies, both public and private are safe, and
acceptable for human use and consumption. They also ensure that water quality
monitoring is conducted. If contamination of a private water system is suspected, owners
may have water samples collected by Environmental Health staff and analyzed by a
laboratory approved by the Department of Health. Private citizens wishing to sample their
well water for bacterial contamination will be provided with a sample bag and instruction
for taking the sample. The fee for each sample is $15.00. The Gulf County Health
Department Environmental Health office permits, inspects, monitors, and regulate Limited
Use Public Water Systems (LUPWS) in Gulf County.
For more information on LUPWS see the Department of Health website below.