Because of the success of the Program, starting August 1st, 2000, ALL coastal counties throughout the State of Florida monitored their beaches in this way and posted the results on the world wide web. The current Healthy Beaches sampling program collects and analyzes water samples at fourteen sites around Pinellas County every week to monitor the levels of indicator bacteria, specifically; Enterococcus sp and Fecal Coliform. The presence of these enteric bacteria is a possible indication of fecal pollution, which may come from any or all of the following: pets, wildlife (aquatic/terrestrial), human sewage, or stormwater runoff. Both bacteria are microorganisms that are found in the intestines of humans and other animals, and are commonly used as indicators of fecal pollution in drinking water. Occurrence of these bacteria indicate the possibility of the existence of pathogens that can cause gastrointestinal illness. While fecal coliform is a common indicator of fresh water quality, the addition of enterococci bacteria, an indicator bacteria which has shown a strong correlation to pathogens in marine water, is a unique component of the Healthy Beaches Program.

For more information about Beach Water Sampling, please go to: http://esetappsdoh.doh.state.fl.us/irm00beachwater/default.aspx

Pollutant Storage Tank (PST) Clean-up:

The program staff performs the technical review and cost oversight of the site assessment and remediation process (cleanup) at facilities contaminated with petroleum products, under the terms of a contract with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The oversight is in accordance with Chapters 62-770 and 62-777, Florida Administrative Code, and DEP Standard Operating Procedures. Contaminated facilities separate into two categories: those eligible for reimbursement for costs through various eligibility programs via the Inland Protection Trust Fund, and those ineligible for such assistance. There are approximately 850 eligible facilities within Pinellas County. The number of ineligible facilities is constantly changing with the discovery of new discharges since January 1, 1999.

Pollutant Storage Tank (PST) Compliance:

Inspections are performed at approximately 750-odd above and underground storage tank facilities within Pinellas County, under the terms of a contract with the Department of Environmental Protection. Inspection types include: annual, installation, closure, discharge investigation, and complaint. The primary focus of the program is to assist facilities in achieving and maintaining compliance with Chapter 62-761, Florida Administrative Code. Facilities inspected run the gamut from independent owners through federal facilities. Residential facilities are not regulated, nor are tanks containing consumptive-use heating oil. The range of regulated substances includes: underground – vehicular fuel, hazardous materials, and pollutants (lube oils, generators, high viscosity oils) and aboveground – vehicular fuel, pollutants, and mineral acids. In addition, the program staff performs Discharge Prevention & Certification inspections at marine facilities transferring diesel-type products over-water.

Public Water:

This program implements drinking water system compliance with State and Federal water quality standards. We currently regulate a total of 14 public water systems purveying water supplies to the residents and visitors to Pinellas County. This regulatory authority encompasses compliance with water quality standards, permitting of new and modified infrastructure improvements as well as implementing enforcement actions as necessary. Local public water systems work in a partnership with the county health department assuring the public drinking water supplies are of the highest quality available utilizing the latest technology and methods standard to the industry.

DOH/Limited Use Public Water System:

Under the DOH/Limited Use Public Water Systems program the local county health department is responsible for regulatory authority of small water systems serving commercial and residential units not covered under the Florida Safe Drinking Water Act. These are primarily commercial (includes one or more nonresidential establishments) and multifamily facilities (includes five or more residences or two or more rental residences) served via their own onsite well-supplied water systems. Annual operating permits, water quality compliance monitoring, permitting of new and modified systems as well as any enforcement actions are all initiated as per regulatory authority. Currently the local county health department monitors some 64 such limited use public water systems serving residents and visitors to Pinellas County.

Public Swimming Pools:

The Public Swimming Pools Program inspects all public swimming pools in Pinellas County twice a year. A Public Swimming Pool is any facility shared by for five or more living units. Water is checked to ensure the correct chemistry is maintained to prevent microbes, such as Cryptosporidium. Bacteria such as this may cause sickness and at times even cause death. Safety equipment is checked and noted and filter equipment is examined for correct operation and compliance. The Division Director, a Professional Engineer reviews plan design, ensuring new facilities are built correctly and to code. Finally and most importantly we examine the qualifications and the competence of the individual caring for the pool and the proficiency of any lifeguards. Our inspections are per the Florida Administrative Code 64E-9 which can be accessed at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/water/swim/docs/64e-9_to_be_filed.doc .

The Initial Ownership/Change of Owner Form is available now by clicking http://www.PinellasHealth.com/EnvEngineering/InitialChangeofOwnershipWebForm.pdf (65kb) to download the form.

Private Drinking Water:

The S.U.P.E.R. Act program includes the investigations of private drinking water wells in conjunction with pollutant storage tanks. Known gasoline storage tank sites are investigated for private and public drinking water wells in close proximity for assuring the integrity of the water supply. Once the site is investigated and its location mapped, any private wells within a ¼ mile radius and public wells within a ½ mile radius are sampled for potential contamination from these gasoline tanks. Based upon the results of the water sampling appropriate remedial measures are initiated. This may be include increased monitoring and/or placement out of service of the well in question.

Sewage Systems:

The DOH/Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems program includes the permitting and use of septic tanks and drainfields for domestic and commercial waste disposal. This program includes issuance of permits for construction of new systems, repairs to existing systems and the abandonment of no longer in use septic tanks. Annual operating permits are also issued for septic tank pumping contractors assuring the integrity of the disposal of the pumped effluent. Responding to complaints of failing and/or malfunctioning onsite sewage disposal systems are investigated and subsequent appropriate actions initiated.

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