Lincoln County Health Department General Sanitation

Sanitation services are crucial for managing waste and ensuring cleanliness to protect public health and hygiene. Preventing the spread of infectious diseases and providing clean environments for everyone is vital for the well-being of our communities.

The Lincoln County Health Department oversees numerous environmental concerns that affect your health and welfare. The release of liquid waste, or sewage, poses a public health hazard and requires careful control. In rural Lincoln County, most residents rely on private disposal systems that are regulated to discharge waste into the soil. It is crucial to consider the appropriate discharge methods to ensure effectiveness and prevent contamination of underground or surface water.

It’s important to plan your septic system carefully before buying property for your home. Each dwelling must install its own septic system, which needs to be done by a licensed installer and authorized by the Lincoln County Health Department.

Please call the Lincoln County Environmental Department to report unsanitary conditions at (304) 824-3330.

General Sanitation

The General Sanitation Rule sets the minimum public health sanitation standards for all institutions, schools, care and lodging facilities, recreational areas, and public restrooms in West Virginia. These are permitted under the Department of Health and Human Resources Bureau for Public Health General Sanitation, with enforcement by the Lincoln County Health Department. The rule covers various categories, including:

Bed & Breakfast Inns
Campgrounds
Adult, Child, and Family Day Care Centers
Hotels, Motels & Rental Cabins
Institutions
Labor Camps
Mass Gatherings, Fairs & Festivals
Parks & Playgrounds
Organized Camps
Schools
Public Restrooms (Inspected only on a complaint basis)

The Lincoln County Health Department’s Sanitarians permit and inspect these categories. They issue permits and conduct inspections based on Legislative Rule W.Va. 64 C.S.R. 18 General Sanitation.

Permits

Permits are granted annually for a period from July 1 to June 30 upon submission of an Application for a Permit to Operate and the associated fees. Permits for mass gatherings are valid for the duration of the event. New sanitation establishments must submit pre-operational plans and undergo an inspection by the Lincoln County Health Department before issuing the initial permit. General sanitation establishments are subject to annual inspections, except for schools, which are inspected every two years.

For unpermitted facilities, new permits, renovations, or changes in ownership, a completed application and the required fees must be submitted to the Lincoln County Health Department at least fifteen days before the facility’s actual or proposed start date. The required form is the SG-49 Application.

If you need more information or have any questions, please contact our Sanitarian, Joel McKinney, at 304-824-3330.