Every week our sanitarians go on location to inspect businesses to ensure they are meeting the health standards of West Virginia for Housing, Water, Food, and Sewage in Greenbrier County.
Childcare
Environmental health permits and inspects all child care centers operating in Greenbrier County. Child care centers are governed under West Virginia Division of Health rule 64 CSR 21.
Food
Environmental Health is responsible for promoting and protecting the public’s health by ensuring that the county’s food supply is safe and sanitary. There are over 500 permitted food establishments in Greenbrier County. GCHD permits and inspects all businesses or establishments that sell food to the public. Examples include restaurants, bars, schools, hospitals, day cares, temporary food stands, retail establishments, etc.
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Housing & Institutions
Environmental health is tasked with approving and inspecting facilities governed by general sanitation rules to ensure they are operated in a safe and sanitary manner. This includes but is not limited to hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, campgrounds, group homes, recovery homes, schools, labor camps, mass gatherings, and organized camps.
Recreational Water
Swimming pools, spas, hot tubs and bathing beaches are governed by the new State Bureau of Public Health Recreational Water Facilities Rule which came into effect July 1, 2002. The GCHD inspects over 30 water facilities in the county.
All facilities are inspected a minimum of two times a year with a series of Bacteriological Water Samples taken throughout the swimming season. All of the facilities must have a qualified water facility operator available for consultation at all times when the facility is open for use.
Other programs include campgrounds, organized camps, parks and fairs/festivals. All these programs are governed by the WV Division of Health General Sanitation Rule.
Rabies Control
Due to the risk of rabies, environmental health is tasked with investigating all animal encounters resulting in a bite or scratch. Rabies is a contagious viral disease associated with mammals that is fatal once symptoms have developed. All animal encounters resulting in a scratch or bite shall be reported to the health department for investigation.
On-Site Wastewater
Many residents of Greenbrier County utilize individual home sewage disposal systems since sanitary sewers are not accessible to all parts of the county. Environmental health is tasked with approving and inspecting all onsite septic systems and water wells in Greenbrier County. Properly designed and installed septic systems and water wells play an extremely important role in protecting public health. Individuals interested in the installation of a septic system or water well shall submit an application to the office for approval before any work is completed.
Tattoo/Piercing
Environmental health is responsible for permitting and inspecting all tattoo and body piercing facilities in Greenbrier County.