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ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS

The mission of the Egyptian Health Department Environmental Health Programs is to prevent the occurrence of infectious disease within Gallatin, Saline, and White counties by performing comprehensive food protection, private sewage, potable water, solid waste and vector control programs. All programs are conducted in accordance with local and county ordinances and state statutes.

  • Food Service Program performs activities to identify, reduce and whenever possible, eliminate factors which may cause food-borne illness. This is achieved by permitting and performing routine inspections of all permanent, mobile and temporary food service establishments within the three counties. State and county regulations are used as legal base for all inspections.
  • Water Program collects and submits private and semi-private water samples to the Illinois Department of Public Health Laboratory for both bacterial and chemical analysis. Procedures and literature for treating and correcting any deficiencies of analysis is received. Once treatment and/or corrections have been made, another sample is collected to assure a safe drinking water supply. EHD also monitors all non-community water supplies within the counties and permits the sealing of abandoned wells. All new water well contracting permits are obtained from EHD at the Eldorado Office.
  • Sewage Program is performed in accordance with each county’s private sewage ordinance “to prevent the transmission of disease organisms, environmental contamination and nuisances resulting from improper handling, storage, transportation and disposal from private sewage disposal system,” (Local Health Protection Grant). Any new or renovated system must be installed by a licensed contractor or the homeowner and permitted through EHD. The agency must receive an application for permit and a construction plan from the contractor/homeowner. Once reviewed and approved, a permit is issued and an inspection of the system is conducted during and after construction.
  • Solid Waste Management is responsible for ensuring the proper storage, handling and disposing of solid waste to eliminate vectors, nuisances and the transmission of disease organisms. EHD personnel interface with units of State and Local governments to promote, participate and coordinate the development of solid waste management and long-range planning. This program is performed in accordance with city, county and state solid waste acts and codes.
  • Vector Control surveys and controls mosquitoes, with the potential of being disease carriers. Investigations of “trouble spots” are made and eliminated when possible. If total elimination is not obtainable, the area is surveyed and larvacide is used on a regular basis.
  • Local Nuisance complaints are accepted regarding all environmental programs. The complaints are investigated for their potential health hazard and/or violation of city/county ordinances or State regulations. Once determined as a health hazard, cases occurring within city limits are referred to that city’s officials for enforcement. Cases outside corporate limits are granted a corrective time period. If the owner fails to correct the nuisance, the case is referred to the State’s Attorney for enforcement.
  • Illinois Public Health and Safety Animal Population Control Program is a new program to reduce the population of unwanted and stray dogs and cats in Illinois. Pet owners must pay a $15 co-pay per animal at the time of the procedure before pets are to be permanently sexually sterilized and vaccinated.

    Application/Eligibility Voucher for Neutering a Dog or Cat can be obtained at Egyptian Health Department local offices in Saline, Gallatin, and White. Just ask any staff or receptionist for the form.
    Pet owners must partake in one of these programs:

    • Food Stamp Program
    • Supplemental Security Income Program
    • Manager of Feral Cat Colony