2007 - Alabama Department of Public Health

ureau of environmental services
Mobile Bay was ordered closed to shellfish harvesting
one time for a total of four working days due to possible
fecal contamination from excessive fresh water flow via
the Mobile River System.
Fifty shellfish growing water samples were collected
to determine the presence of harmful algal blooms (toxic
dinoflagellates) and five shellfish samples collected to
determine the presence of toxin.
During fiscal year 2007, Seafood Branch staff provided
department representation to the following programs:
• Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference
• Mobile Bay National Estuary Program
• Technical Interagency Committee
• Gulf of Mexico Public Health Program
• Gulf of Mexico Alliance Program
In December 2006 the State Committee of Public
Health adopted the revised Crab Sanitation Program
Rules, 420-3-15. The new rules bring the program into
conformity with current industry practices and federal
requirements for interstate food shipments.
The Seafood Branch staff provided representation
at the Interstate Shellfish Shippers Conference and
participation in various subcommittees dealing
with management and control plan issues. Staff also
contributed to the Gulf and South Atlantic State Shellfish
Conference, National Estuary Management Committee,
the Technical Interagency Committee, and the Mobile
Chamber of Commerce Seafood Task Force.
Division of Community
Environmental Protection
Soil and Onsite Sewage Branch
The Soil and Onsite Sewage Branch’s main objective
is to coordinate the onsite sewage program in the county
health departments. The branch is one of three branches
within the Division of Community Environmental
Protection.
The Division of Community Environmental Protection
carries out programs to minimize the adverse effects of
disposal of sewage and high-strength sewage on human
health and the environment by establishing and enforcing
requirements for the design, permitting, installation,
approval, and use of onsite sewage treatment and disposal
systems.
During the past year:
• 21,266 permits were issued to install onsite sewage
systems
• 9,545 systems were installed
• 69 special projects such as plans review for large
systems were handled
• 4,886 complaints were handled statewide
• 8 variances were processed
• 855 people were trained at various environmental
training events during the year. Trainees included
department employees and others involved in onsite
systems design and installation outside of the
department.
• 42 product permits to date have been issued to
manufacturers of advanced treatment and disposal
products. These permits set the conditions under
which onsite wastewater products can be used in
the state.
• 81 large onsite systems are now permitted by the
Health Department under performance permits.
These permits require sampling and maintenance
of large systems to better protect public health
and ground water. These permits are very similar
to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System permits issued for wastewater discharges
by the Alabama Department of Environmental
Management.
• 8 onsite management entities have been issued
Certificates of Financial Viability. These certificates
provide the Health Department with a mechanism to
ensure proper maintenance and operation for large
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