Environmental Health issues permits for new, repaired, modified, and abandoned septic systems and evaluate existing systems for compliance with all local and state laws and ordinances, as needed.

Visit www.myfloridaeh.com/ephdata for:
septic system permits issued •  construction permit approval •  final system approvals •  contractor info
 

Septic System Application Packages:

Example of ebridge login screen:

Environmental specialist tests the waters of 12 Okaloosa County beaches each week. Depending on the bacteria levels, a swimming advisory may be issued and posted signs are used to advise the community and tourists.  Learn more...

>> Current Okaloosa County Healthy Beaches Results & Descriptions
 

*NOTE:  The Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program does not monitor water quality from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill incident.  Please visit our Deepwater Horizon oil spill page for oil spill info.

Environmental Health inspects & permits over 480 public pools & spas in motels, condo/apartment complexes, health clubs, schools, and mobile home parks in our community, at least twice each year. Each site must comply with state standards for pool construction, maintenance, water quality, and safety equipment.

State Level Public Swimming Pools and Bathing Places Homepage
CDC's Disinfection and Remediation Guidelines
Florida Pool Inspection Database
Current Inspection Information

The OCHD Environmental Health Department will no longer offer the Certified Pool Operator Course.  We apologize for the inconvenience.

This program regulates Limited Use Public Water Systems (public water systems which are not covered by the Safe Drinking Water Act), multi-family water systems, and private water systems. Definitions for these systems and statutory authorization to regulate them are found in section 381.0062 of the Florida Statutes. Chapter 64E-8 of the Florida Administrative Code establishes the rules to implement the statutes. It includes setback standards for private water systems, construction standards for multi-family water systems, and construction and operation standards for limited use public water systems.

The 2008 Florida Statutes
Chapter 64E-8 F.A.C
 

• Limited Use Wells Permitting Letter
• Limited Use Well Checklist
• Application for Limited Use & Multifamily Water System (DH 4092B)
• Application for Limited Use Public Water System (DH 4092A)

*Updated July 2010

The OCHD’s Environmental Health Branch monitors the food operations located in some institutional settings (ex: schools and correctional facilities), civic & fraternal organizations, theaters (that limit their menu to drinks, candy, popcorn, hotdogs, and nachos), bars, and lounges that don't prepare food.

The Florida Department of Children & Families (850-833-3788) monitors the food operations in daycares.

  • For current food hygiene inspections, visit:  www.myfloridaeh.com/ephdata/food_hygiene.

• Food Service Permitting Letter
     *Updated July 2010
• Check List for New Food Service Facilities
• Application for a Sanitation Certificate
• Food Establishment Plan Review Guide
• Signature Card

Environmental Specialists conduct safety and sanitation inspections on private homes and businesses where children, the elderly, or mentally handicapped persons may be placed.

Index to Group Care Facilities

Group Care Facility Licensing

• Group Care Facility Licensing Letter
     *Updated July 2010
• Application for Residential / Group Care Facility
     *Updated July 2010
• Okaloosa County Group Care Establishment Plan Review Guide
• Signature Card

Environmental Health issues annual operating permits to Mobile Home/RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks, campgrounds, & recreational facilities. The site, water supply, sewage/garbage disposal, sanitary facilities, maintenance, and pest control are inspected twice a year.

For current inspection information, visit:  www.myfloridaeh.com/ephdata/Mobile_Home_Parks.

• Mobile Home / RV Park Permit Letter
• Mobile Home / RV Park Application
• RV Park Site Rate Schedule
• Signature Card

Leaking petroleum storage tanks can contaminate the ground, and the groundwater we drink. Environmental health inspectors conduct site visits to ensure that storage tanks meet the required standards, and that new tanks are built with state of the art equipment.

The State Underground Petroleum Environmental Response Act (SUPER Act), provides funds to investigate and clean up leaking gasoline storage tanks. When a leak is suspected, a specialist will take water samples from surrounding wells to determine if the water has been contaminated.

Petroleum Surveillance Program (Super ACT)

Environmental Health investigates nuisance complaints from the public which involve septic problems such as sewage on the ground, abandoned swimming pools, improper disposal of garbage, or other concerns about unsanitary conditions. To submit a complaint, call 850-833-9247.

Environmental Health performs semi-annual facility inspections for tanning facilities. These inspections ensure proper bulb maintenance, verify proper operation of beds/timers, guarantee proper bed sanitation, etc.

2008 Florida Statutes - Tanning
Correspondence Courses
Tanning Facility Injury Report

• Tanning Facility Permit Letter
     *Updated July 2010
• Tanning Bed Florida State Codes
• Application for Tanning Facility License
• Checklist for New Tanning Facilities
• Signature Card

If you need to report an animal bite, contact OCHD Environmental Health at (850) 689-7859.

Animal bites or injuries require immediate attention and possibly a visit to a doctor or emergency room because domesticated and feral animals can transmit a large number of diseases to humans. Special attention and urgency should be given to injuries involving small children (up to 2 yrs old) or injuries located above the neck and shoulders (i.e. face bites).

Even though only animal injuries requiring rabies treatment are reportable to the Florida Department of Health, all animal bites should be reported to OCHD.

 If the bite is from a cat, dog, or ferret, Environmental Health staff is responsible for attempting to locate the animal and making sure it is kept in observation at the owners’ home or the local animal control facility for a 10-day quarantine. The bite report is then forwarded to the Disease Surveillance staff for evaluation.

• Rabies Exposure Report