Bi-County Health Department

The Franklin and Williamson counties Boards of Commissioners have found necessary to develop rules & regulations because of the economic & population growth without the parallel growth of facilities to recycle, reuse & conserve natural resources and solid wastes.  This has resulted in a rising tide of scrap and waste material of all kinds, including but not limited to: junk automobiles, appliances, junk mobile homes; excessive amounts of refuse, dangerous buildings & illegal dumping of refuse which causes serious hazards to the public health, safety welfare & happiness of county residents. 

• Inspectors investigate & try to abate health hazards caused by general nuisances, solid waste, insect & rodent control and dangerous buildings.
• Our department uses regulatory authority to enforce compliance.

As a service to our counties residences our department helps to enforce the Illinois Animal Control Act through the Illinois Department of Agriculture.  This act relates to stray animal control; rabies prevention; the liability of a person owning or harboring a dog which attacks or injures a person; it provides for penalties for violations thereof.

• All animal bites must be reported to the health department.
• Reported animal bites are investigated.
• Suspected animals are required by law to be quarantined or possibly euthanized.
• Euthanized animals are tested for rabies if involved in a bite case.
• Concerned parties are informed of case results.
• Information regarding rabies is made available to the public.

Resources:

Rabies

In order to protect people within our counties we have a program to prevent the transmission of disease organisms, environmental contamination and nuisances resulting from improper handling, storage, transportation and disposal of sewage from private sewage disposal systems.

• This program is conducted in compliance with local health ordinances that incorporates the Illinois Department of Public Health Private Sewage Code and includes enforcement authority.
• Long & short range goals have been developed to guide private sewage disposal system use for the protection of the environment and health of the people in our jurisdiction.
• Subdivision plats which utilize private sewage systems are reviewed.
• New, altered, repaired private sewage systems are reviewed & approved prior to construction.  Permits are issued on new & major renovations systems.
• Inspections are made to confirm compliance with application plans & code requirements.
• Annual evaluations are made to inspect the transportation, storage & disposal of septage hauling equipment, storage facilities & land disposal sites.
• Complaints of improper private sewage disposal are investigated & compliance of deficiencies are dealt with enforcement action.
• Education material is made available to the public.

Resources:

National Small Flows Clearinghouse

• All food service establishments are inspected and issued annual permits to operate.  They are assessed relative risks for causing foodborne illness and this assessment is annually verified.  Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points are included in each regular inspection.
• Plan reviews and pre-operational inspections are conducted on new or extensively remodeled facilities.
• Follow-up inspections, consultations and enforcement actions are conducted to ensure compliance of deficiencies and violations of any rules.
• Surveillance and control systems are established to monitor, identify and record foodborne illnesses; to detect sources of contaminants; to establish factors that contribute to outbreaks; and to recommend prevention and control measures and to take appropriate actions to prevent further spread of disease.
• Food safety information is provided to the public.
• Food handler training is provided.
• Microwave Oven testing.
• Qualified personnel conduct activities of our food program.

Our counties have an extensive municipal supply of water, thus our agency’s focus primarily is on private water supplies. The potable water program is provided to protect the people of Franklin & Williamson counties who obtain water from a private source, such as a cistern or well.  The purpose of this program is to protect Individuals who consume water from a private source  from contracting & transmitting waterborne diseases.   

• Our department has a written agreement with the Illinois Department of Public health to act as an agent to conduct the private water program.  We conduct water supply inspection in accordance with the Illinois Water Well Construction Code & the Illinois Water Well Pump Installation code.
• Request for inspections or sampling pertaining to any existing water supply shall be evaluated regarding its public health significance.
• A permit is issued prior to construction on any new well after determining if it is in compliance with the Illinois Water Well Construction Code & all new wells are inspected.
• Water samples collected by our department are submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health laboratory for analysis.
• Suggestions are made to correct unsafe water supplies.
• Sealing of abandoned water wells are regulated by our department.
• Educational material is provided to the public upon request.

For more information or to schedule a water test for a well or cistern you may call the Benton office at 618-439-0951 or the Marion office at 618-993-8111 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Resources:

Illinois Department of Public Health - Environmental Health

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

Environmental Protection Agency