Environmental Services

The Environmental Division of the Darke County Health Department is responsible for many programs. They aim to provide services that will protect the environment and improve the environmental factors that affect the health of the citizens of the Darke County Community.

Programs:

image of a vetrinarian with a dog Animal Bites and Rabies Control Domestic animals such as dogs and cats that bite a person are required to be quarantined for ten days after the bite or the head of the animal must be submitted to the Health Department for laboratory testing of rabies. This is even if the animal is current on its rabies vaccine. If your dog or cat does bite a person do not destroy the animal before the quarantine period, so that the individual bitten does not have to receive the rabies shots. Contact your local health department for proper procedures. See also: Make Rabies History , Protect your family from Rabies

Food Protection: A food service license must be obtained in order to sale food within the State. The Health Department inspects these operations for compliance with Chapter 901:3-4 and Chapter 3717-1 of the Ohio Administrative Code. See Rules. All inspections are public record and may be viewed by filling out a request for information form at the Health Department. For further information, contact Janel Hodges or see Food Permits

Grade A Milk Plastic Products: The Health Department inspects two plants that make the plastic that is a component in containers for milk products. The plants are checked for sanitation. For further information, contact Janel Hodges.

Manufactured Home Parks: A manufacture home park is any tract of land that has greater than three manufactured homes. The parks are subject to Chapter 3701-27-24 Electrical of the Ohio Administrative Code. See Rules. The parks are inspected and licensed by the Health Department. For further information, contact Corrie Holthaus.

Recreational Camps: Are subject to Chapter 3701-25 of the Ohio Administrative Code. See Rules. For further information, contact Sophie O'Connor. Helpful tips to keep you safe while camping: camping.html

Plumbing Department: provides services to ensure the proper installation of plumbing systems within the county. It includes the inspection and permitting of new plumbing systems and the registration of plumbers that perform work within the county. For additional information, please see the Plumbing Department Page

image of individuals in a pool Swimming Pools and Bathing Beaches: All public swimming pools subject to Chapter 3701-31 of the Ohio Administrative Code are licensed and inspected by the Health Department. Inspections are conducted each month of operation and parameters such as residual chlorine, pH, alkalinity, water clarity, and safety are examined. See Rules. For additional information, contact Liz Farver. Helpful tips to keep you safe while visiting our local pools: swimming.html

Subdivision & Plat Review: The Health Department reviews all land splits that are twenty acres or less. In order to be able to build a home on a property, there must be adequate room for septic system installation and replacement. The Health Department also reviews existing home sites that are to be subdivided from larger parcels of land to ensure that the current system is approved and there is adequate room for septic system replacement.

Home Sewage Treatment Systems: A permit must be obtained before a sewage system is installed. Once installed, the system is inspected before it is covered. See Sewage permits. Existing septic systems may be inspected for home sales. See Special Service Inspection. Also, septic installers and scavengers (septic tank pumpers) must register with the Health Department. For further information, contact Liz Farver or see sewage permits

image of a needle Infectious Waste Program: Infectious waste generators both large and small generators that are subject to Chapter 3745-27 of the Ohio Administrative Code are inspected. This does not include veterinary clinics. Large generators (generates more than 50 pounds of infectious waste) are required to register with the Ohio EPA. For further information, contact Corrie Holthaus at the Darke County Health Department.

Nuisance Complaints: The Darke County Health Department will investigate signed nuisance complaints that are received at the Health Department. If you wish to make a complaint, you must fill out a complaint form at the Health Department. In order for the complaint to be investigated, the following must be included: a description of the complaint, location of the complaint, the name and mailing address of the individual or group the complaint is against, and how it is health related. Incomplete complaints or complaints that are not signed or health related will not be investigated. For further information, contact Corrie Holthaus at the Darke County Health Department. To view rules see PREMISE REGULATIONS (pdf) Additional resources: Safe & Healthy Homes

Solid Waste Programs: The Health Department works with the Darke County Solid Waste District and the Ohio EPA in regard to the solid waste programs. These include the registration and inspection of garbage trucks, licensing and inspection of Rumpke Transfer Station, Construction and Demolition Debris Facility, and Scrap Tire Facility, and inspection of Closed Landfills and Composting Facilities. For registration and licensing information contact Corrie Holthaus at the Darke County Health Department, or for Recycling activities Krista Fourman at the Darke County Solid Waste District (937) 547-7369.
New: Tire Clean-up Event

image of an inspector with a magnify glass over a building School Building Inspections: conducted twice a year. School buildings are checked for safety, sanitation, and play ground safety. For further information, contact Corrie Holthaus.

Radon Education & Testing: The Regional Air Pollution Control (RAPCA)and the Darke County Health Department have joined efforts to promote radon awareness. The joint program provides educational materials free of charge to interested residents in Darke County. For more information contact Corrie Holthaus at the Darke County Health Department.

Tattoos: Tattoo operations are regulated under Chapter 3701-9 of the Ohio Administrative Code. See Rules. Currently, there are two licensed facilities within Darke County. If interested in starting an operation, contact Corrie Holthaus at the Health Department.

Water Well Systems: Before a well is drilled either agriculture or for a residence, a well permit must be obtained. The well must meet certain distance requirements and installation requirements in order to protect the ground water and ensure a safe drinking water supply. See Well Permits on this site or Chapter 3701-28 of the Ohio Administrative Code on the Ohio Department of Health web site. Or, you may contact Liz Farver at the Darke County Health Department. For information on the nation's water supply and the safety of our water supplies, see National Drinking Water Week

West Nile: This program is responsible for the tracking of the West Nile Virus among the bird, mosquito, horse, and human population within the county. Numerous phone calls and investigations are conducted. Information is provided to the public on how to reduce their risk to the disease. For more information contact Corrie Holthaus at the Darke County Health Department. Additional information is available at Ohio Department of Health and www.ohioepilepsy.org.

319 Grant Program: The goal of this program is to reduce non-point source pollution of the Stillwater River Watershed from failing septic systems by identifying failing septic systems, upgrading failing systems, and increasing homeowner knowledge of their septic system. Additional information may be obtained on the 319 Grant Project page or by contacting Sophie O'Connor at the Darke County Health Department.

To learn about the Environmental Staff click below:

Environmental Staff

E-mail the Environmental Division

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Page last updated: 1/3/2012