Environmental Health Division
Welcome to the Environmental Health Division of the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH). We are proud to serve the residents, businesses, and communities of Jefferson County by providing a comprehensive range of environmental protection and public health programs.
For more than 100 years, the Environmental Health Division has worked to protect public health by preventing the spread of disease, promoting safe food practices, ensuring clean water, reducing environmental hazards, and supporting the proper disposal of waste. Our work helps create healthier places to live, work, learn, and play throughout Jefferson County.
Our Services
The Environmental Health Division delivers both traditional public health programs and state and federally regulated environmental programs, organized across several service areas.
Community Environmental Protection
- Licensing and permitting for body art facilities (tattooing, piercing, branding)
- Sanitation and vector control investigations and enforcement related to garbage, sewage, plumbing, insects, and animals
- On-site sewage (septic) system permitting and inspections
- Public swimming pool and spa inspections, permits, scoring, enforcement, and plan reviews
- Rabies prevention, including animal bite reporting and quarantine requirements
- Bacterial testing of public water sources (wells and swimming areas) upon request
- Sanitation and structural inspections of public facilities such as schools, jails, and prisons
Food and Lodging Protection
- Food and lodging inspections, scores, ratings, and permitting
- Investigation of foodborne illness complaints and outbreaks
- Childcare facility kitchen inspections and regulatory oversight
- Inspections of communal living facilities
- Food handler training and education
Air and Radiation Protection
- Inspections of radiation‑emitting equipment, including medical, dental, chiropractic, podiatry, veterinary, educational, industrial x‑ray, and tanning facilities
- Industrial air pollution permitting and inspections
- Asbestos oversight for renovation and demolition projects
- Open‑burning regulation, subject to limited permits and seasonal restrictions
Watershed Protection
- Stormwater and watershed protection to address pollution and illegal discharges
- Water quality testing for streams, rivers, and outfalls
- Support for municipal stormwater compliance and environmental monitoring
- Industrial site monitoring
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the appropriate program area: