Welcome to Sanitary Engineering's Web Site

News and Advisories

President Bush Signs into Law the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act of 2007 This is a bill to increase the safety of swimming pools and spas by requiring the use of proper anti-entrapment drain covers in pool and spa drainage systems and to educate the public about pool and spa safety.

Water Outages at Schools
The department has developed a new guideline to assist school officials and local health departments who must respond to a water outage, or issuance of a boil water order, during the school day.

Technologies New to Indiana
Information on the department's program for technology new to Indiana can be found at Technologies New to Indiana. This web page provides general information on the department's review and approval process. It also contains links to web pages containing information on technologies that have been approved (with links to the standards that apply to each technology) and technologies that are under review.

Plan Review fees are now in effect
The Plan Review Section of the Division of Sanitary Engineering has regulatory responsibility to conduct plan review and issue construction approvals for a number of regulated facilities. Starting February 1, 2005 there will be a plan review fee for a number of these facilities.

Public Notice Requirement for Hospitals and Ambulatory Outpatient Surgical Centers
Effective July 1, 2005, the application for new construction or remodeling for Hospitals and Ambulatory Outpatient Surgical Centers under IC16-21-2-11.5 requires at least two public hearings by non-federally operated;

Hospitals (hospital) proposing a project estimated to cost a least ten million dollars or;
Ambulatory Outpatient Surgical Centers (ASC) proposing a project estimated to cost at least three million dollars, that results in a structure that, when completed, is subject to licensure as a hospital or ASC.

Hospitals and Ambulatory Outpatient Surgical Centers must include as part of the construction application submitted to the Plan Review Section:

The estimated cost of the project, excluding equipment and consultant fees.
If applicable, pursuant to the act;
1. a copy of the published notice;
2. dates published; and
3. name and location (city/town) of the publication(s) used.

The application for Acute Care Facilities (State Form 50097) has been revised to reflect the above noted requirements.

Construction Guidelines for Gravity and Flood Dosed Trench Septic Systems -- in PDF
Onsite systems require care in site selection, design, and construction. This document provides construction guidelines that explain the basic procedure for installation of an onsite system.

Hospitals and Ambulatory Surgery Outpatient Centers Plan Status
The status of plans submitted after June 18, 2001 is now available on line.

Sanitary Engineering consists of thirty-five professional employees divided into three sections: Environmental Health, Plan Review, and Vector Control. The mission of Sanitary Engineering is to improve environmental health, and to help local health departments improve their services.

Environmental Health Program inspects and licenses mobile home parks and agricultural labor camps. They also inspect campgrounds, youth camps, and schools. The staff consult and provide technical assistance to local health departments on a variety of environmental health issues, including swimming pool sanitation. And they assist county sheriffs with licensing pursuant to the Mass Gathering Licensing Law, IC 18-53.5. The Environmental Health Program now includes the residential onsite sewage program, which sets minimum State-wide standards for residential onsite sewage disposal systems. The staff also conduct workshops and seminars on soils analysis and residential sewage disposal, and provide consultation and technical assistance to local health departments on the operation of their residential sewage disposal programs.

Plan Review Program reviews and approves plans and specifications for commercial onsite sewage disposal systems, hospitals, long-term care facilities, day care centers, correctional facilities, mental health centers, and ancillary water supply and sewage disposal systems.

Our Vector Control Unit maintains an early warning system to monitor for West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine, Western Equine, and St. Louis encephalitis in birds. The staff also consult and provide technical assistance on rodent and insect eradication, histoplasmosis prevention, control of head lice and scabies, and removal of nuisance wildlife.

When tornadoes, flooding or other disaster strikes a community, Sanitary Engineering staff provide direct assistance to local health departments upon request. We disseminate a pamphlet about disinfection of wells and drinking water, and how to handle food, furniture, etc., that has been inundated during flooding. Our engineers also cooperate with State and federal emergency management agencies to assess the cost of repairs to any public works that might qualify for federal disaster assistance.

Sanitary Engineering is part of the Indiana State Department of Health, and is located at 2 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Click for an Indianapolis map. Our main phone number is 317/233-7177 and our fax number is 317/233-7047. TDD/TTY is available at 317/233-5577. E-mail us at engineering@isdh.state.in.us. The nearest off-street parking is at the Parisian Garage under Circle Center Mall, or you can park at ISDH's surface lot on the corner of Maryland and Alabama Streets. Click for a map of ISDH's location in downtown Indianapolis.

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