Wastewater Rules and Regulations

• Portable Toilets:
  Rules and Regulations
• Septic Tanks:
  Rules and Regulations Manual (updated Jan, 2016) Technical reference guide for the siting, design, permitting, inspecting, and trouble-shooting of residential septic tanks.

Certified Lists

• Septic Tank Installers
• Septic Tank Pumpers 
• Portable Sanitation Pumpers
• Soil Classifiers

Homeowner Resources

• Buying additives/chemicals for your tank? Think again! Guide to Septic Tanks Videos: Understanding Your Septic Tank The Septic System Challenge

Contractor Renewals

• Septic Tank Installers and Pumpers
• Soil Classifiers
• Portable Sanitation Providers

Contractor/Environmentalist Resources

• Applications and Study Guides
• Committees (Certification Review, Soil Classifiers, Technical Review) 
• Education and Training Courses
• Manual for Onsite 
• Portable Toilets – Requirements Brochure 
• Product Approvals 
• Residency Verification Form 
• Rules and Regulations 
• Soil Classifier Info 
• Variance/Waiver Request Form
• Instructions

Additional Information

• Background and Use of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems in GA 
• Design Criteria for Peak Sewage Flow 
• Impact of Onsite Sewage Systems on Ground Water Nitrogen 
• Program Responsibilities

Applications and Study Guides

• Applications:
  • Contractors (installers & pumpers)
  • Companies
  • Geologists (editable Word version)
  • Engineers (editable Word version)
  • Soil Classifiers (editable Word version)
• Additional Soil Classifier Info
  • Verification of Residency Form – Contractors
  • Verification of Residency Form – Soil Classifiers

* Required for all individuals holding a state certification

• EHS Registration/Onsite Certification
• EHS Update Form (name and/or contact info change)

Click here and here to enter information in electronically.

Study Guides:

Please call your County or District Environmental Health Office to schedule an exam.

• Portable Sanitation
• Septic Tank Installation: Commercial Drip Emitter System Mound and Area Fill Residential
  (also used for the Soil Classifier DPH Rules and Regs test)
• Septic Tank Septage Removal and Disposal
• Additional Soil Classifier Info

Mission

Minimize water-related illnesses in non-public wells.

Information and Services

The Non-Public Well Program (NPW), housed in the State Environmental Health Office, provides a resource for information on wells ranging from installation of new wells, maintenance of wells and wellhead protection, sampling recommendations, to the proper abandonment of wells. In addition, the NPW Program provides assistance and guidance on compliance with rules and regulations for Non-Public Wells. The NPW Program also examines waterborne illness and outbreaks and is available to assist State and Local partners with waterborne disease outbreak investigations. Services provided by the NPW Program also include conducting environmental assessments during outbreak investigations of small water supplies, restaurants, tourist courts, and swimming pools.

Program Goals

• Provide education, training and guidance related to well installation, protection, evaluation, chlorination, sampling and abandonment.
• Provide technical assistance and support to local partners regarding enforcement of the Well Water Standards Act.
• Assist in waterborne disease outbreak investigations.

The Non-Public Well Program is focused on small, private well water supplies.

More Information:

• Individual Wells
• Commercial Wells 
• Waterborne Diseases and Outbreak Info

Helpful Links

• Georgia Environmental Protection Division
• Watershed Protection Branch
• Well Drillers
• Certified Labs

Note: Adobe Reader is required to view these documents.

NEW Food Service Rules and Regulations (511-6-1) Effective 11/1/2015 Rule Changes/Additions – Summary Brochure

• Manuals:
  • Design, Installation and Construction

• Permit/Variance Applications:
  • Establishment/Mobile Food Service Operations Mobile-
  • Extended Food Service 
  • Temporary Food Service Organizer Application 
  • Temporary Food Service Vendor Application 
  • Variance & Waiver Info – Request Form
• Employee Health Information:
  • FDA Employee Health and Personal Hygiene Handbook 
  • Norovirus: Facts for Foodhandlers and General Public 
  • Prevention:
    • English – Spanish 
  • EPA Approved Disinfectants 
  • Employee Health – Red Book 
  • Employee Illness – Quick Decision Guide (Non-HSP) 
  • Employee Illness – Quick Decision Guide (HSP)
  • Employee Illness Interview 
  • Employee Medical Clearance Forms 
  • Employee Medical Referral 
  • Employee Health Information 
  • Employee Reporting Agreement 
  • Food & Water Illness Complaint 
  • Vomiting/Diarrhea Clean-up Poster 
    Note: Any equipment used for clean-up of vomit/diarrhea must be discarded.

Mission

Rapidly respond to public health emergencies through assessment and reduction of environmental health threats to human health.

Important Links

• Environmental Health Emergency Response Manual 
• Environmental Health Training in Emergency Response (CDC’s EHTER) 
• Flood – Cleanup Guide 
• Flood – Prevent Potential Health Problems 
• Food – Safety Tips for Snow Storm Affected Areas (USDA) 
• Food – Safety Tips During Power Outages (USDA) 
• Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) 
• Incident Command System (ICS) Resource Center (FEMA) 
• Mold Prevention After a Disaster (YouTube Video) 
• Water Interruption Brochure

Program Goals

• Prevent communicable disease and contamination of food and water.
• Develop and monitor environmental health information.
• Inspect and control sanitation measures.
• Ensure safe water and wastewater disposal.
• Control disease vectors and potential epidemics.
• Facilitate laboratory testing of food and water.
• Inspect facilities and shelters.

Mission

Minimize illnesses and injuries associated with insanitary or hazardous conditions in Georgia’s tourist accommodations.

Program Activities:

• Conduct complaint investigations on insanitary conditions reported by tourists and travelers.
• Provide education and training for environmental health specialists, consumers and industry professionals on the rules and regulations.
• Perform mandated inspections of all regulated tourist accommodations.

Rules and Regulations

Owner/Operator Resources:

• Application 
• Gas-Fired Equipment Form 
• Plan Review Checklist
• Plan Review Submission Instructions 
• Public Benefits Affidavit
• Rules and Regulations 
• Well Water Info

Additional Information

• Bedbug Handbook
• Bedbug Resources
• Official Georgia Code Title 31, Chapter 28. Tourist Courts

Tourist Accommodations Rules and Regulations

• Tourist Accommodations Rules and Regulations

Effective January 1, 2014

• Inspection Report 
• Inspection Guidance Instructions 
• Inspection Marking Instructions 
• Frequently Asked Questions 
• Informational Brochure

Mission

Minimize illnesses and injuries associated with contaminated or hazardous conditions in or around swimming pools.

Program Goals

• Reduce substantial health hazards and other risk factors that lead to illness or injury through training and enforcement.
• Conduct compliant investigations associated with swimming pools, spas and recreational waterparks.
• Perform compliance inspections on all regulated facilities to ensure adherence to design, operation and maintenance rules.

Rules and Regulations (511-3-5)

Map of Counties With/Without State Regulations

Pool Owner/Operator Resources:

• Pool Operator Training Courses
• Construction Plan Review
• Construction Application
• Operation Application
• Inspection Form
• Hydraulic Analysis Form
• Well Water Info

Additional Resources

• CDC Healthy Swimming Program
• Diarrheal Fecal Incident – Steps for Hyperchlorination
• Fecal Incident Chart
• Health and Saftey Swimming Poster
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission – Pool Safety

Rabies is a viral disease of mammals, usually occurring among wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. The rabies virus travels from the site of the bite up through the nerves until it reaches the brain, causing encephalopathy and ultimately death. So, don’t pet racoons.

In the United States, rabies occurs primarily in wild mammals (e.g., skunks, raccoons, coyotes, foxes and bats). Sometimes, these wild animals infect domestic cats, dogs, and livestock. Rabies is rare in small rodents such as squirrels, rabbits, beavers, chipmunks, rats and mice, muskrats, hamsters, gerbils, porcupines and guinea pigs.

When an infected animal bites another animal the rabies virus is transmitted in the infected animal’s saliva. Rarely, rabies is spread when infectious material from a rabid animal, such as saliva, comes into contact with mucus membranes such as the eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound.

Early symptoms of rabies in humans are non-specific and may include fever, headache, and general malaise. Later, signs of encephalopathy such as insomnia, anxiety, confusion, paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation, difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia (fear of water) may appear. Death usually occurs within days of the onset of symptoms.

The length of time between the bite and the symptoms of rabies depends on the strain of rabies virus, how much rabies virus was introduced into the wound, and the distance from the site of the bite to the brain. Usually, the incubation period is quite long and may be one to three months.

There is no known, effective treatment for rabies once the symptoms of the illness have developed. Rabies can be prevented in humans if medical care is sought soon after exposure to the rabies virus. If left untreated, rabies is always deadly.

Make certain that all owned dogs and cats are regularly vaccinated for rabies by a veterinarian. Teach children not to approach or play with wild or stray domestic animals of any kind. Tell them that even though a baby skunk or raccoon may look cute, it can spread very serious diseases. Love your own, leave other animals alone is a good principle for children to learn.

The rabies pre-exposure vaccine regimen is recommended for rabies research and laboratory workers, spelunkers, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary students, kennel workers, animal control, and wildlife personnel taxidermists.

People traveling to parts of the world where canine rabies is endemic should also consider the vaccine.

Thoroughly clean the wound immediately with soap and water to reduce the likelihood of rabies transmission. Call your doctor as soon as possible for advice. Your doctor can consult with the Georgia Poison Center (404-616-9000 in Atlanta, or 800-282-5846 statewide) to decide whether postexposure human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and vaccine are recommended for this bite. Your doctor can also tell you if you need a tetanus booster or antibiotics. Provide your doctor with the following information:

1. Type of animal involved (pet or wild animal)
2. Provoked (teased, startled, run past, etc.) or unprovoked attack
3. Type of exposure (cut, scratch, licking of an open wound), part of the body, number of exposures
4. Animal’s vaccination status (does not apply to wild animals)
5. Sick or well animal, type of symptoms
6. Animal available/not available for testing or quarantine

Under certain circumstances, a domestic animal may be placed under quarantine and observed to see if it develops symptoms of rabies. Cats, dogs, and ferrets will become ill and expire within days of shedding the rabies virus in their saliva (the time of the bite).

Click here for the GA Rabies Manual and additional GDPH documents. The Georgia Poison Center is available for rabies consultation 24 hours a day, seven days a week: Atlanta 404-616-9000, statewide 800-282-5846.

You can apply for a permit in person or by mail to install a new septic system, repair an existing septic system, or modify an existing septic system. There is a $100 fee for the permit. Applications can be provided by fax, mail, or email. Contact your local county Environmental Health Office.

Septic permits are required prior to construction of a new home or business to verify

1. soils on the property are suitable for a septic system. Septic systems do not work in all types of soils, and therefore septic systems cannot be installed on all properties. Just because there is a home or business on the adjacent property does not mean that your property is suitable. Different kinds of soils require different types of septic systems, and some are more expensive than others. Knowing the cost of your septic system prior to constructing your home can help you plan accordingly.
2. there is enough acreage to accommodate your planned construction. There are required minimum lot sizes for properties serviced by wells and/or septic systems. There are also maximum sewage loads per acre. We want to be sure your house, paved driveway, pool, etc. AND your septic system will physically fit in the space you have.

Septic permits/evaluations are required before you begin remodeling or adding on to your home to verify

1. your septic system is sized appropriately to accommodate the proposed changes to your home. For example, if you are adding on a bedroom, you may need to increase the size of your septic system.
2. the proposed construction or addition does not negatively impact your existing septic system. For example, we check to be sure you are not building over your septic tank or drain field, which could cause it to malfunction.

A Perc Test is an old-fashioned method of determining soil suitability for septic systems. This outdated method is no longer used.

If you plan on building a new home or structure, you will need a Level 3 Soil Report before you apply for your permit to install a new septic system. This soil report is completed by a State of Georgia Certified Soil Classifier or Soil Scientist. You can find a list of all Certified Soil Classifiers in the State of Georgia by visiting www.georgiaeh.us. Click on “Sewage/Septic Systems”, then “Certified Lists”, and finally “Soil Classifiers. This list is separated into regions. You can use anyone on this list, but if you want to see the soil classifiers closest to our area, we are in region 7.

If you need to repair or modify an existing septic system, your local Environmental Health Specialist may be able to conduct the necessary soil evaluation for you. Contact your local Environmental Health Office.

The minimum amount of acreage required to build a house serviced by a private well and an on-site septic system can vary depending on where your property is located within the county and the proximity to high aquifer recharge areas.

Minimum lot sizes are based on the construction of typical 3 to 4-bedroom houses. If you plan to build a larger home or plan to have other structures that also require on-site septic systems, such as a pool house or shop, you may be required to have a larger lot.

Existing lots of record that do not meet current minimum lot sizes may still be allowed to build. However, these substandard lots may be restricted in the size of the home that can be constructed.

You can request a qualitative bacterial water sample through your local Environmental Health Office by applying in person or submitting an application by mail. There is a $50 fee for the sample. You do not have to bring a sample of your water with you; we come out and take the sample for you.

You can obtain a permit to install a well from your local Environmental Health Office by applying in person or submitting an application by mail. There is a $75 fee for the permit. Applications can be provided by fax, mail, or email.

You can request a copy of any well or septic record on file by contacting your local Environmental Health Office. Records can be provided by fax, mail, or email.

The permitting requirements for food service facilities are very specific to the type of foodservice operation you want to establish. Contact your local Environmental Health Office for specific guidance. In general, you will need to complete an application, submit the required documentation, and pay all applicable fees. Several things to keep in mind when you are considering operating a food service facility:

• Food trucks are not stand-alone facilities. They require a permitted base of operation to service the truck. This base of operation cannot be your personal residential kitchen.
• You need to know exactly what you plan to have on your menu. This affects what you will be required to have or do at your facility.
• Local Building and Zoning, the Fire Department, the Sewage Department, etc. will be required to sign off on plumbing, electrical, building, fire, and safety codes before a permit can be issued to operate.
• Facilities located in areas serviced by on-site septic systems must have the septic system approved by the health department. Septic systems for restaurants require advanced treatment and can be costly.
• Facilities serviced by private wells require approval as a non-public water supply. This approval requires quarterly bacterial sampling and annual water quality analysis.

Local Environmental Health Specialists are not certified to conduct mold inspections. They cannot evaluate or inspect your home or business for mold. We can provide you with information and refer you to resources on how to deal with mold. If you are a landlord or tenant, you can find out your rights and responsibilities by referencing the Georgia Landlord Tenant Handbook.

You can locate an in-person class, online class, or exam proctor by visiting servsafe.com

You can speak with someone at your local Environmental Health Office to file a complaint on a permitted facility. Please be as specific in your complaint as possible.