Environmental Health Division Services
RABIES CONTROL
The Environmental Health Division investigates all reported animal bites and enforces the ten-day quarantine and rabies vaccination requirements for dogs and cats. The Board of Health and volunteer veterinarians offer pet vaccination clinics and carry out seasonal raccoon-rabies oral baiting with the Ohio Department of Health.
BATHING BEACHES
The Environmental Health Division inspects beaches and collects water samples to ensure that safe conditions and acceptable water quality are maintained in the beach environment.
CAMPGROUND AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE (RV) PARKS
The Environmental Health Division inspects and licenses campgrounds and RV Parks to ensure proper spacing, adequate sanitary conditions, potable water supplies, sewage disposal, and general safety.
COMMERCIAL SEWAGE SYSTEMS
The Environmental Health Division inspects commercial sewage systems serving small businesses.
FOOD SERVICE OPERATIONS AND RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
The Environmental Health Division inspects and licenses establishments where food is prepared, processed, manufactured, packaged, stored, and offered for sale. Health standards are enforced covering operation, maintenance, and sanitation to protect the public from food-borne illness. Mobile and temporary food-service operations also are inspected to ensure safe, wholesome food is served at festivals and fairs.
HOME SEWAGE SYSTEMS
The Environmental Health Division conducts evaluations of property for the suitability of installing home sewage systems for single, double and triple-family homes. The Division approves original and replacement septic system designs, inspects their installation, and inspects all septic systems before a home is sold. It investigates complaints regarding malfunctioning septic systems and enforces the abandonment of home sewage systems and connection to the sanitary sewer when it becomes available. Low-interest loans for home sewage system improvements and sewer connections are available from several local banks through a partnership with the Board of Health and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
MOBILE HOME PARKS
The Environmental Health Division inspects and licenses manufactured home parks to assure adequate sanitary conditions, safety, spacing requirements, and general nuisance abatement.
NUISANCE CONTROL
The Environmental Health Division and the Solid Waste Program investigate complaints regarding conditions that may be harmful to the health, safety, comfort, or property of an individual or the public. These investigations include garbage, refuse storage, insects, noxious odors, animal waste, sewage, and unsanitary living conditions.
PLUMBING AND DOWN SPOUT INSPECTIONS
The Environmental Health Division inspects plumbing installation and new construction for proper drainage of storm water to storm sewers or streams.
PRIVATE WATER SYSTEMS
The Environmental Health Division inspects the installation of water wells to ensure that a safe and adequate water supply is provided for residents relying on private wells for their drinking water.
REAL ESTATE EVALUATIONS
The Environmental Health Division conducts inspections of all private water wells and home sewage systems prior to home sale to determine the safety and adequacy of home sewage systems and water supplies.
SCHOOL SAFETY
The Environmental Health Division inspects schools to ensure that children are provided a healthy and safe environment in which to learn.
SOLID WASTE
The Solid Waste Program enforces Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and Board of Health regulations governing solid waste disposal and construction and demolition debris disposal, infectious waste, composting, and scrap tire management and illegal dumping activities.
SWIMMING POOLS AND SPAS
The Environmental Health Division inspects and licenses public swimming pools and spas to ensure that proper water quality and safety are maintained in the pool environment.
TATTOO AND BODY PIERCING
The Environmental Health Division inspects and approves tattoo and body piercing establishments and registers tattoo and body piercing practitioners to ensure sanitary conditions.
VECTOR CONTROL
The Environmental Health Division provides for the control of rodents (rats) through baiting and sanitation. The Division provides expert advice for controlling other vectors such as mosquitoes and maintains a disease surveillance program to monitor and control vector-borne diseases.
WASTE HAULER
In order to protect the public health, welfare and to prevent unsanitary conditions and nuisances, the Solid Waste Program enforces Board of Health standards and regulations for the storage, collection and transportation of solid wastes and construction and demolition debris within Mahoning County.
WATER WELL TESTS
Low-cost bacteriological water testing is provided by the Environmental Health Division. This test is used to determine if water is safe for human consumption.