Environmantal Health Programs

Please find listed below an overview of the many programs in the Environmental Health Section of the Taylor County Health Department.

On-Site Sewage Disposal

Regulation, permitting, and inspection of septic tank systems to assure proper construction, installation and operation to prevent untreated sewage discharges is the largest program in the Environmental Health Section of the Health Department. Since a public sewer system is not available in all parts of the county, we average inspecting approximately 300 septic systems per year. Please see link below for applications for permits.

Onsite Sewage Programs Forms

Food Protection 

Taylor County Health Department regulates and inspects food service facilities located in schools, childcare centers, nursing homes, adult congregate living facilities, hospitals, civic and fraternal establishments, bars and lounges and detention facilities. An average of 150 inspections are done each year.

Group Care Inspections 

Taylor County Health Department also has responsibility for inspection of Adult Congregate Living Facilities (ACLF), Day Cares, Nursing Homes, etc. Taylor County has approximately 26 such facilities that are inspected by the Health Department.

Mobile Homes, RV Parks and Camps

We regulate and inspect mobile home parks and RV parks for proper water supply, waste disposal and sanitary conditions. Taylor County has approximately 29 parks located in Perry, Steinhatchee and other local areas.

Limited Use Water Systems (LUPWS)

Since 1993 such systems have come under regulation which includes annual permitting and inspection of these water supplies. These systems include both residential and commercial supplies that are not regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Taylor County has approximately 18 of these sites.

Public Swimming Pools 

The Health Department regulates and inspects all public pools and bathing places to assure water quality and compliance with regulations. There are approximately 25 pools and bathing places in Taylor County. This includes those that the City of Perry maintains and other commercial establishments.

Biohazardous Medical Waste

The Taylor CHD now inspects and regulates facilities that generate biohazardous medical waste in Taylor County. These establishments include medical offices, dentist offices and veterinarians. Taylor County has approximately 30 facilities that are inspected by the Health Department.

Rabies Surveillance Program

The Health Department serves as technical support for the animal control programs in the city and county involving animal bites. The Health Department provides follow-up with the victim of animal bites and is involved in shipping specimens to be tested for rabies, if indicated. We have approximately 10-12 cases per year of animal bites.

Tanning Facilities 

Regulation and inspection of tanning establishments to assure safe and sanitary operation of equipment is another inspection task of the Taylor CHD Environmental Section. We do approximately 10 inspections each year for facilities such as this.

 Environmental Epidemiology

Environmental Epidemiology includes investigations of the cause of elevated blood lead levels in children and adults, indoor air complaints, Radon testing, food and water-borne and vector borne illness. Each year, the Taylor County Health Department is actively involved in West Nile Virus surveillance.