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The term “water supply” means the source from which the water is obtained and all structures, machinery, conduits and appurtenances by means of which the water is collected, treated, stored, protected or delivered to the customer / consumer. This term includes any individual onsite water supply. Some areas of Fulton County are not served by a municipal water supply, therefore individual water supplies (wells) are used to provide a clean and healthy source of drinking water. Staff permit, inspect and collect bacteriological samples to ensure wells are properly located and constructed to minimize the possibility of sewage or other contaminants from entering the well and/or groundwater.
Visitors and citizens often frequent the 4,700 restaurants in Fulton County and enjoy the cuisine without a thought of becoming ill. This possibility is greatly reduced because all food service establishments (restaurants) in Fulton County are permitted and inspected by our staff. Plans of all new establishments are reviewed and approved per the regulation requirements. Inspections assure proper sanitation practices that minimize hazards from cross contamination, improper cooking, handling and temperature maintenance of foods, potable water contamination, improper garbage and refuse disposal and poor insect and rodent control. Staff investigate complaints concerning improper practices in food handling could lead to foodborne illnesses. All food service establishments must have a valid permit and a current license from this department to operate.

To find out more about the key revisions to the newly adopted food code and see the frequently asked questions, please use the link below:

http://health.state.ga.us/programs/envservices/foodservice.asp

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Lead is a common metal found throughout the environment in lead-based paint, soil, air, household dust, food, certain types of pottery, etc. It is especially dangerous to young children, expectant mothers and their fetuses. Our office collects samples of paint and dust in the homes of children diagnosed with elevated lead blood levels and analyzed for lead content. If there is lead present in the home, the property owner is advised of mitigation methods to reduce the exposure of children to lead in the home.

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• Nuisances
• Rat Control
• Solid Waste

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Rats are found worldwide. They spoil food and carry diseases. The rat program was created to enforce the Fulton County Rat Control Article, educate the public of potential health hazards and minimize exposure to rats. Our staff enforces this article through investigating complaints, responding to rat bait requests and educating citizens in effective eradication of rats.

Single-family homeowners in Fulton County are eligible to receive rat control materials at no charge. Call the Central District office at 404-730-1301 to request this service. An inspection of the property is required to identify any condition that is considered as rat harborage or food for rats, which must be eliminated before rat control materials are issued. We do not dispense rat control materials at the department health center. It is strongly recommended that if you are experiencing a rat problem inside your home, you should “rat-proof” the entire building to keep rats and other invaders out. See link below to help you identify entry points

"Facts About Rats Brochure"

"Rat-Proofing Your Home" fact sheet

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“Many Fulton County homeowners assume that their home is served by a sanitary sewer for sewage disposal, and may not be aware that their home is actually served by an Onsite Sewage Management System (OSMS) or septic tank system. If you are not sure, you can contact the district office where your home is located, North District for properties north of I-20, South District for properties south of I-20, and ask for a copy of your system permit. If you have an OSMS on your property, you can maximize the life of the system by having it serviced every 3 to 5 years, depending on system usage. Newer systems utilize a required filter that may need to be serviced more often than having your septic tank pumped out. Your septic system service professional can assist you in maintaining your system for many years of use. Also, use the Maintenance Record (see link below) to help guide you properly maintain your system.”
 

 

 

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This category includes those waste materials in solid form resulting from public, domestic or commercial enterprise, which, to protect the public health, must be disposed in a proper manner. The term includes litter, trash, refuse, rubble and other common terms.

All commercial facilities (except banking institutions) must provide adequate solid waste provisions for the handling and storage of the waste generated from each facility. Staff review/approve construction plans and perform final inspections to ensure adequate capacity andproper location to minimize odors, insects and/or rodent infestation.

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Any event that attracts 50 people or more and lasts for 2 hours or more is considered a special event. Fulton County is host to the most special events in the state and this program has been enhanced to address the many health issues present at these events. These events must have adequate provisions for sewage disposal, solid waste and drinking water available. If food will be served other than prepackaged, then permits must be secured for each vendor. Staff provides the inspections and permits for these events. Certain events, however, are exempt from securing a permit and staff inspections.

These events must be:

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These are structures used for bathing, recreation, swimming or other related purposes, together with buildings, appurtenances and equipment required or used in connection therewith.

This includes: Wading Pools, Whirlpools, Spas, Hot Tubs, Water Slides and Training Pools.

Citizens and visitors enjoy the 1400+ public swimming pools with the confidence that the water is clean and safe. Assurance of clean and safe pools by the owners is partially due to the permitting requirements and routine inspections by our staff. All swimming pools, other than home pools, are permitted on an annual basis and inspections are performed routinely based on their operating season. Plans of all new pools are reviewed and approved per the regulation requirements prior to construction.

A federal law governing main drain covers was passed in 2007 that requires manufacturers and pool owners to comply with new standards by December 20, 2008. The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act of 2008” (VGB Act) is a federal mandate that requires all pool main drain covers be compliant with the standards of the Act. The VGB Act also requires main drain cover manufacturers to produce compliant covers by December 20, 2008.


Each pool in Fulton MUST have two (2) or more main drains with the new, federal VGB Act-compliant covers by December 20, 2008. Each pool must have compliant drain covers BEFORE placed into operation after December 20, 2008.Fulton County Article XII, “Swimming Pools and Natural Bathing Beaches", requires modification permitapplication to be completed and submitted prior to installation to verify compliance. We want to be aware of which pools in Fulton County have replaced their main drain covers so that your pool will be one step closer to being permitted for operation in 2009 without delay.

The Fulton County pool code mandates a maximum velocity through pool main drain covers of 1.5 feet per second.
In determining compliance with the VGB Act and Fulton County code, use the following formula for pools with two main drains:

 

What to do for a fecal, blood or vomitus accident at your pool:

• Fecal, Blood, Vomitus Incident Guidelines
• Fecal, Vomitus and Blood Management
• Reducing Risk of Disease Transmission
• Six Pleas For Healthy Swimming