The Indian River County's Environmental Health Services Division monitors major systems of community infrastructure that protect the public from disease and help maintain health. The scientific foundation of overall environmental health for the community is extensive and continued surveillance, with indicator testing, along with immediate investigation and mitigation of environmental conditions where disease transfer is possible or suspected.

What Environmental Health Services does for you:

• Provide a public health approach to the prevention and control of environmental contaminants and disease.
   
• Monitor programs and conduct investigations under the authority of county, state and federal laws.
   
• Limit the spread of disease through diverse environmental health programs.
   
• Provide protection from potential illness and injuries through the regulation of environmental factors that may threaten the public's health.

If you have questions about any of the programs, or need information about environmental health issues, please contact the Environmental Health Services office at (772) 794-7440. Our operating hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.  We do close one Friday afternoon per month for staff training.

Biomedical Waste/Body Piercing

Drinking Water Quality

Emergency Response: 

Environmental Hazards: 

Environmental Safe Drinking Water Laboratory

Epidemiology

Food Hygiene

Group Facilities

Hazardous and Toxic Waste

Migrant Labor Camps

Mobile Homes and RV Parks

Occupational and Industrial Health

Public Swimming Pools and Bathing Facilities

Rabies Control

School Inspections

Sewage Disposal

Surface Water Pollution

Tanning:

Biomedical Waste and Body Piercing: All biomedical wastes in healthcare facilities are regulated.  Complaints about disposal of wastes are investigated.  Body piercing salons are regulated and inspected routinely.  Visit  B

Drinking Water Quality: Certain private and public water supplies are routinely tested for disease causing bacteria, viruses, chemicals, pesticides, and other harmful contaminants. Arrangements can be made for household water testing when requested. New well construction is monitored and permits are issued.

Emergency Response: This department is part of a community emergency response team to be on-site whenever environmental spills and accidents may occur. Our staff may also be called upon whenever a special drug, food or drink recall may be issued or whenever there is a consumer product safety alert.

Environmental Hazards: All environmental complaints, including those related to solid and liquid wastes, drinking water, public housing, vermin control, air pollution, and other areas, are investigated.

Environmental Safe Drinking Water Laboratory:  Biological analysis of drinking water and surface water pollutants is conducted on-site.  Basic chemical analysis is also performed.

Epidemiology: Incidents of illness such as outbreaks of communicable diseases, food or waterborne disease, indoor air contamination, or other unusual clusters of health problems are investigated in coordination with medical and nursing departments.  Statistical trends are analyzed to uncover problems and initiate prevention and control measures.

Food Hygiene: This department routinely inspects only those food establishments not regulated by the Department of Business and Professional Regulations and/or Department of Agriculture.  These facilities include private clubs, lounges, fraternal organizations, and movie theaters among others.

Group Care Facilities: Nursing homes, foster homes, adult living facilities, daycare centers, hospitals, detention and other correctional facilities all must meet state standards to ensure a safe and healthful condition.  Routine and special environmental inspections are made at the request of the state licensing agency.

Hazardous and Toxic Waste:  Businesses that handle hazardous and toxic waste are surveyed. Complaints about disposal of waste are investigated.  Storage pollution tanks, such as those at gas stations, industrial, and agricultural facilities, are regulated and monitored.

Migrant Labor CampsIn addition to inspection of the waste disposal system, water supply, and fire protection, migrant labor camps are also inspected for adequate field sanitation.

Mobile Homes and RV Parks: Parks are periodically inspected to determine adequacy of waste disposal systems, water supply, and fire protection.

Occupational and Industrial Health: Initial workplace site surveys may be undertaken to determine indoor air quality, asbestos problems, radon levels or other health risks in the environment and help assure occupational safety.

Public Swimming Pools and Bathing Facilities: These facilities are licensed and inspected on a routine basis to assure freedom from harmful contaminants.

Rabies Control: Bites from high?risk wild animals, such as raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes are investigated.  Animals that have bitten humans are sacrificed when possible and remains are sent for laboratory analysis to determine possible transmission of rabies to humans.

School Inspections:  Public and private schools are routinely inspected for fire, sanitation, and safety to ensure a healthful environment.

Sewage Disposal: Sewage systems are monitored to assure proper disposal of human waste. Individual onsite sewage disposal systems are regulated with permits for new construction and repair. Certain public waste disposal facilities are routinely inspected. Complaints of improper sewage disposal are investigated and abatement procedures undertaken. Connections to sanitary sewer systems are promoted.

Surface Water Pollution: The water quality of the Indian River Lagoon and the Sebastian River is monitored at several sites for levels of contaminants and nutrients.

Tanning Facilities: These facilities are licensed and inspected on a routine basis to ensure the health and safety of the patrons.

For more information on Environmental Health Services, please call (772) 794-7440.