Environmental Engineering Services

Environmental Engineering is tasked with inspection, permitting and regulation of:

• On-site treatment and disposal systems (septic tanks)

• Private and public drinking water obtained from wells

• Swimming pools located in a facility with five or more units

• Migrant labor camps and residential migrant housing

• Mobile home and recreational vehicle parks

• Tanning Facilities

• Food Service Establishments:

  • Bars and lounges

  • Churches

  • Civic and fraternal organizations

  • Concession stands

  • Institution and school kitchens

  • Movie Theaters

• Inspections and Regulations of

  • Child day care centers

  • Foster and group homes

  • Schools

• Beach Water Monitoring

Investigation and referrals of food borne illness, sanitation or environmental concerns

Frequently Asked Questions ...

Swimming Pools

What is a public swimming pool?

A public swimming pool is one that serves five or more families.

Are infants required to wear waterproof diapers in public swimming pools?

No, there are no Florida codes, statutes, or laws that address any issue involving infants or children in public swimming pools.

Can the manager or owner of a public swimming pool adopt rules and regulations in addition to those mandated by the Health Department?

Yes, although department personnel can only enforce the mandated rules and regulations.

What should be done in case of a fecal accident at a public swimming pool?

1. Close the pool to all swimmers

2. Remove the fecal matter.

3. Raise the free active chlorine to 20 ppm for 8 hours; maintain pH 7.2-7.5.

4. Backwash the filters to waste

5. Allow chlorine residual to drop to normal parameters

6. Balance water appropriately

7. Re-open pool; notify the Collier County Health Department.

The following rules should be posted at the pool in a minimum of one inch letters and shall contain the following:

1. No food, drink, glass, or animals in the pool or on the pool deck.

2. Bathing load: _____ persons.

3. Pool hours: ____ a.m. to ____ p.m.

4. Shower before entering.

5. Pools without an approved diving well configuration shall have "NO DIVING" in four inch letters included with the above rules.

Septic Tanks

How often should I pump out my septic tank?

Once every four years.

How big does my system need to be?

Depends on the number of bedrooms or total square footage. Please see the following chart.

Can you lower the water table?

No, but call for an appointment and one of our inspectors will set the elevation and determine the depth of the water table.

What should I do if I find raw sewage on the ground?

If you call in a complaint, our staff investigates to check for validity. If the complaint is valid, we contact the property owner to work out a compliance program with them.

Septic Tank Ten Commandments:

1. Thou shalt not pour greases, fats, and oils down any drain!

2. Thou shalt not attach a garbage disposal to your sink for ridding thyself of meat bones, coffee grounds or other foods that are difficult to biodegrade!

3. Thou shalt not dispose of paints or household chemicals in the drain, yea, verily, thou shalt use disinfectants in small amounts!

4. Thou shalt not dispose of any automobile fluids down any drain, be it gas, oil, transmission or brake fluid, grease or antifreeze!

5. Thou shalt not kill the beneficial bacteria in your septic system by rinsing pesticides, herbicides or any other toxins down the drain!

6. Thou shalt not dispose of any non-biodegradable item in your toilet, be it cigarette butts, disposable diapers or feminine hygiene products!

7. Thou shalt not let water run while washing dishes and thawing frozen foods and shalt consider limiting flushes.

8. Thou shalt not run half loads in the dishwasher or washing machine and shall stagger wash loads (none on the Sabbath then six on Mondays!)

9. Thou shalt not use chemicals to "Start up" or "clean up" your system, yea, they could harm the septic tank, drainfield or groundwater!

10. Thou shalt not attach "clean water" sources such as footing or sump pumps to the septic system!

Drinking Water

What is a limited use community water system (LUCWS)?

A LUCWS is one that utilizes a private well and serves two or more rental units.

What is a limited use commercial water system?

A limited use commercial water system is one that utilizes a private well and serves a commercial establishment.

Do we test drinking water?

Yes, if your residence uses a well. There is a $25.00 charge for the test, which is for bacteriological analysis only. Call our office (239) 252-2499 for more information.

Beach Water Monitoring:

What do we test for? 

We test weekly for two kinds of bacteria which indicate water quality.  These two bacteria indicators are fecal coliform and enteroccus.    

Where can you find the results of the sampling? 

At the Healthy Beaches Website