The Environmental program is designed to protect the health and well being of our citizens. Environmentalists are in the Williamsburg office each day from 8:00-9:30 A.M. The state plumbing inspector is in the Williamsburg office on Mondays from 8:00-9:30 A.M. and Thursdays from 8:00-9:30 A.M.
On-site Sewage Disposal-
Approval of permits to owners for approved sewage installations. Also approves on-site sewage disposal systems for public buildings and private homes and inspects on-site sewage disposal systems.
Public Food Services-
Approves operating permits for food-serving establishments. Environmentalists conduct sanitation inspections of restaurants, school cafeterias, retail grocery stores, food transportation vehicles, vending machines or vehicles which sell food to the public.
Public Facilities-
The WCHD provides permits and/or inspection services for public facilities, including mobile home and recreations vehicle parks, hotels, motels, public buildings and recreational areas, youth camps, schools, public swimming pools, spas and beaches.
Nuisance Control-
The WCHD may investigate into all sources of nuisances that are injurious to the health of the people of Whitley County. Whenever any nuisance related to health of the people in this county is found to exist, the Board of Health may order, in writing, that the owner correct the problem.
Rabies Control-
WCHD acts in an advisory capacity when an animal is suspected of being rabid, and assists the community in any way possible in the event of a rabies epidemic.
Private Water Supplies-
Residential water supply located on private property will be tested upon the owner's request. The sample results are made available to the owner with the recommendations made for correcting the problem.
Rodent and Vector Control-
Investigates and provides assistance and information for removal of rodent and vectors from areas.
Kentucky's New Retail Food Regulations
Effective May 1, 2010
On May 1, 2010 Kentucky's food code and retail food regulations will be changing. These changes
represent the first substantial revision to the Kentucky Food Establishment Act and State Retail Code
since 1976. The new version of the regulatiion adopts the standards outlined in the 2005 federal food code and puts Kentucky in line with national standards for retail food safety.
The Whitley County Health Department strongly urges business owners and food service managers to
familarize themselves with the new code and assure that they are in compliance by the May 1, 2010
implementation date.
The new version of the Kentucky Food Code adopts by reference the FDA 2005 model food code
but makes a limited number of insertions and modifications. It is important for managers and
business owners to familiarize themselves with both the Kentucky regulation and the FDA Food Code.
Links to both documents are provided below. Continue to check this website for updates as they become available.
Checkout Kentucky's New Retail Food Regulations and The Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance Information on the bottom of this webpage!
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
Free resources are available from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website that teaches parents about preventing lead poisoning. The Lead in Your Home: A parents reference guide is an especially useful tool for lead education or Fight Lead poisoning with a Healthy Diet. Check out the many other brochures and publications that are availabe free: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/brochure.htm
Radon Action and Prevention
What is Radon? Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive soil gas that is colorless, odorless and tasteless. Radon can enter any type of building - homes, offices, and schools - through cracks in the basement or foundation. Through decay, radon breaks down into sticky particles which can be inhaled and trapped in the lungs. Over time, these particles break down and release small bursts of energy that damage lung tissue.
Did you know that Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, smoking and secondhand smoke exposure in combination with radon greatly increases the risk of lung cancer.
Learn more about Radon and what you can do to prevent exposure by clicking on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) link:
On May 18, 2006, the Whitley County Fiscal Court adopted a Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, which requires a Stream Construction Permit from the Kentucky Division of Water (KYDOW) and a Local Floodplain Permit from Whitley County before any development activities start in a designated floodplain. Copies of the flood maps can be obtained from the Local Floodplain Administrator, Kentucky Revised Statutes, KRS 151, requires a "Stream Construction Permit" from the KYDOW's Floodplain Managment Section for any kind of development along or across a stream, including those streams not mapped on the community's flood maps or Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Development means "any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate". This includes, but is not limited to: construction of new structures, modifications or improvements to existing structures, placement of manufactured homes, exacavation, filling, paving, drilling, driving of piling, mining, dredging, land clearing, grading, construction of bridges, culverts, or any type of work in or along the stream or its bank. Without a Local Floodplain Permit that conforms to the Local Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, the State's permit is not valid. In addition to the State and Local permits, an Elevation Certificate may also be required for some structures.
Any person who violates the Flood Damage Prevention ordinance or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined no less than $100 or imprisoned for not more than 5 days or both, and in addition, shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Each day such violation continues, shall be considered a separate offense.
For more information, please contact the Whitley County Floodplain Administrator.
On May 18, 2006, the Whitley County Fiscal Court adopted a Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, which requires a Stream Construction Permit from the Kentucky Division of Water (KYDOW) and a Local Floodplain Permit from Whitley County before any development activities start in a designated floodplain. Copies of the flood maps can be obtained from the Local Floodplain Administrator, Kentucky Revised Statutes, KRS 151, requires a "Stream Construction Permit" from the KYDOW's Floodplain Managment Section for any kind of development along or across a stream, including those streams not mapped on the community's flood maps or Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Development means "any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate". This includes, but is not limited to: construction of new structures, modifications or improvements to existing structures, placement of manufactured homes, exacavation, filling, paving, drilling, driving of piling, mining, dredging, land clearing, grading, construction of bridges, culverts, or any type of work in or along the stream or its bank. Without a Local Floodplain Permit that conforms to the Local Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, the State's permit is not valid. In addition to the State and Local permits, an Elevation Certificate may also be required for some structures.
