Lead – Environmental Health Staff conduct investigation and recommend abatement measures when requested by nursing and epidemiological staff.
Private Water and Wastewater Services – Environmental health staff provides assistance to residents who desire to or already have a private well or onsite sewage disposal systems on their own or their rented property. This assistance includes providing the activities, referral and documentation necessary to obtain required permits for onsite sewage disposal.
- Check this site to find an onsite system designer or installer
- File an application for well and/or septic
- Read the Water and Wastewater Regulations.
Food Safety and Inspections – The goal of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Food Safety program is to ensure the safe handling of food served to the public by working with restaurant operators to reduce the occurrence of risk factors that may cause foodborne illnesses. VDH collaborates with food establishments to provide safe and satisfying food service to the people of the Commonwealth. Here, restaurant owners, operators, managers and even employees can find details about permitting, inspections, training and other resources about food safety.
You can view routine food inspections of your favorite food facility.
- Apply for a food facility permit
- If you are interested in applying for a permit for a temporary event, please visit our page on Temporary Food Establishments. This must be done at least 10 days before your event.
Tourist Establishment Regulations - For information regarding permitting and inspection, click one of the following:
- Pool and Spa Safety
- Campgrounds
- Lodging - Hotel, Motels, and Bed and Breakfasts
Rabies Control – Our environmental and nursing professionals work together whenever there is the potential for human rabies. Our environmental health professionals also oversee animal confinement and quarantine, collect specimens for lab analysis, and often participate in rabies vaccination clinics.
If you are bitten by an animal:
- Don’t panic and wash the wound thoroughly with soap and lots of water. Washing thoroughly will greatly lessen the chance of infection. Give first aid as you would for any wound.
- If possible, capture the animal under a large box or can, or at least identify it before it runs away. Don’t try to pick up the animal. Instead call an animal control or law enforcement officer to come.
- Notify your health care provider immediately and explain how you got the bite. They will want to know if the animal has been captured. Your healthcare provider will evaluate your wound and decide whether anti-rabies treatment is to be started and/or other treatment.
- Report the bite to your local health department.