Each Health Department has Environmental Health professionals to assist the citizens in assuring food safety and clean drinking water. These professionals also work closely with the emergency planning team and the epidemiologist to investigate food and water borne illnesses, to answer questions about mosquito borne diseases, rabies, and other potential environmental hazards. Please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information on recreational water-associated illnesses.
The environmental health professionals evaluate and permit restaurants, schools, hotels, motels, campgrounds, summer camps, migrant labor camps, adult and child day care centers and vendors at public temporary events for food safety.
Food safety training is extremely important in ensuring that food establishments offer the safest food possible to the public. The Chickahominy Health District strongly recommends that food establishment owners and employees at all levels receive food safety training. Understanding food safety principles can help prevent a food borne illness. This is an illness that is related to the consumption of improperly prepared or handled food. A food borne illness can result in mild to severe illness and, in a worst case scenario, death to those consuming the improperly prepared and handled food. If a food borne illness outbreak is traced to a food establishment, consequences to the establishment can include revocation or suspension of the food establishment permit, loss of reputation, loss of income, loss of employees and closure.
The Chickahominy Health District offers several food safety classes throughout the year for all levels of food service workers, food establishment owners, temporary food vendors (persons preparing and serving foods at public events) and persons preparing foods for large crowds. Food safety classes offered include: ServSafe® Certification and temporary food vendor classes. A proctored exam for ServSafe® Certification is also offered. Training for groups of food service workers at the requesting facility is available. Educational opportunities for churches and civic organizations who want to learn about food safety are available upon request. Information on food safety topics is also available.
Please visit the following websites for more information on food safety and related topics:
www.vdh.virginia.gov Virginia Department of Health for information on regulations governing restaurants, tourist establishments (hotels/motels), swimming pools at tourist establishments, campgrounds, summer camps, migrant labor camps, product recalls and general public health information.
www.cdc.gov Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for information on recreational water-associated illnesses and general public health issues.
www.fda.gov US Food and Drug Administration for information on food safety, general public health issues and product recalls.
www.usda.gov US Department of Agriculture for information on food safety and product recalls.
www.ext.vt.edu/resources Virginia Tech Extension Service for information on food safety and drinking water protection.
FEES
General permitting and plan review fees apply for the following services:
Program |
Plan Review Fee |
Annual Permit Fee |
Hotels/Motels |
$75 |
$100 |
Restaurants |
$75 |
$100 |
Summer Camps |
$75 |
$100 |
Campgrounds |
$75 |
$100 |
Temporary vendor permitting and fees:
Food Establishment Application
Foodservice Plan Review
Temporary Food Establishment Application
State permit applications for and regulations on food, summer camps, campgrounds, swimming pools, and migrant labor camps
Special Note: As of July 1, 2009, licensure of the Authorized Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE) Program will be overseen by the Department of Professional Occupation Regulation (DPOR). VDH will continue to review AOSE work, however; all licensure of Onsite Sewage System Professionals will be conducted by DPOR. Please see DPOR regulations for more information.
Additionally, VDH has begun regulating the operation and maintenance of alternative onsite sewage systems as of July 1, 2009. For more information on these requirements, please click here.
To protect the groundwater, proper treatment and disposal of sewage waste in rural areas is important. VDH has regulations in place to make sure septic systems are adequate. VDH requires a sewage disposal construction and/or well construction permit for installation, modification, or repair of a septic tank, dispersal field or well in order to make sure the system complies with the current regulations. We recommend hiring a private soil consultant (AOSE) to assist you in locating a drainfield area and designing the best possible system to meet your needs and protect the groundwater. Construction permits for well and sewage disposal systems are valid for 18 months. Additional information pertaining to the permitting process can be obtained at the VDH Division of Onsite Sewage and Water Services web site.
Sewage disposal and well construction permit applications are available with the building permit applications. As of July 1, 2008, fees apply for the following services:
APPLICATION TYPE |
FEE |
Non-AOSE – Construction Permits |
|
Onsite Sewage Construction Permit |
$355.00 |
Private Well Construction Permit |
$205.00 |
Onsite Sewage and Well Construction Permits (total, combined) |
$560.00 |
Well and Onsite Sewage Construction Permits, System > 1,000 gpd |
$1,280.00 |
|
|
Non-AOSE – Certification Letter* |
|
Onsite Sewage Certification Letter |
$300.00 |
|
|
AOSE - Construction Permits |
|
Onsite Sewage Construction Permit |
$200.00 |
Private Well Construction Permit |
$205.00 |
Onsite Sewage and Well Construction Permits (total, combined) |
$405.00 |
Well and Onsite Sewage Construction Permits, System >1,000 gpd |
$1,280.00 |
|
|
AOSE – Certification Letter** |
|
Onsite Sewage Certification Letter |
$200.00 |
|
|
Repair Permit |
|
Onsite Sewage Repair Permit: Non-AOSE or AOSE |
No Fee |
* Non-AOSE: If a Certification Letter is converted to Permit(s) within 18 months of the date the Certification Letter was issued, the only fee charged will be for the well permit (currently $205.00). If the Certification Letter is converted to Permit(s) more than 18 months after issuance, both sewage and well fees will be charged (currently $560.00)
** A.O.S.E.: If a Certification Letter is converted to Permit(s) within 18 months of the date the Certification Letter was issued, the only fee charged will be for the well permit (currently $205.00). If the Certification Letter is converted to Permit(s) more than 18 months after issuance, both sewage and well fees will be charged (currently $405.00)
Separate county fees may also apply, including:
Goochland well and septic fee |
$40.80 |
Goochland septic fee |
$25.50 |
Goochland additional zoning fee |
$50.00 |
Hanover administrative fee |
$25.00 |
Applications are available for septic system and well permits at your local Health Department or at the county building inspector's office or you can download the following:
Hanover Health Department complete septic application
Hanover Health Department Septic system repair history questionnaire and instructions
Hanover Health Department Request for Onsite information
Hanover Health Department Request for Food Program information
