Outdoor Health Protection

Table of Contents

Lake, Pool & Spa Inspections

Pools and spas

Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services inspects approximately 150 swimming pools or spas. Facilities that fall under our jurisdiction are public, commercial, hotel/motel and apartment complex pools.

Guidelines
  • Each pool or spa must be permitted annually.
  • After the unit has been permitted, it is inspected monthly.
  • Permits may be suspended if minimum standards are not met.
  • The pools and spas are inspected for structure integrity, disinfectant levels, pH level, warning signs and presence of safety equipment.
  • The facilities are checked for cleanliness and maintenance of the grounds, locker rooms and fencing.

Lakes

Pool and water safety tips

  1. Never swim alone.
  2. Keep all gates locked or have a cover secured over the pool, when closed.
  3. No horseplay or running.
  4. Lifesaving equipment are not toys. Keep these items in their respective places on the deck.
  5. No food or drink in the pool
  6. Keep glass containers out of the pool area.
  7. No diving in shallow areas.

More safe swimming tips can be found at:

Pool fees 

  • Facilities operating year around – $430.00
  • facilities operating seasonally – $270.00

Private water supplies in Boone County

How can I have my private well water tested?

  • Pick up a test kit at the Health Department
  • Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday
  • The kit includes a mailing sticker to send the sample to the State Laboratory in Jefferson City
  • Water samples must be deposited in first class mail Monday through Thursday in order for the sample to be accepted by State Lab personnel

What happens if the results are unsatisfactory?

  • You can request assistance from the Health Department
  • You can request assistance from Environmental Health personnel, who may inspect the condition of the well and take an additional sample to help determine any problems with the private water supply
  • For assistance, please call 573.874.7346opens phone dialer

Please note

  • Water district facilities and municipal water supplies in Boone County are regulated by the Department of Natural Resources
  • Persons on a public water supply can receive updated information from the supplier of the water regarding bacteria and many other characteristics of the water supply, upon request
  • All complaints regarding any public water supply should be directed to the supplier or to the Department of Natural Resources (1.800.385.2129opens phone dialer)

Links

Ticks

Ticks can transmit serious and potentially fatal diseases. Not all ticks are infected, however, so a tick bite does not necessarily mean you will get a disease. Many of these diseases can be treated effectively when caught early, so consult your medical provider right away. 

Tick prevention tips

  • Use an insect repellent with a minimum of 20% DEET, picaridin or IR3535
  • When possible, wear long sleeved shirts and pants
  • Avoid tick infested places such as brush, tall grass, wood piles and leaf litter
  • When hiking, stay in the center of trails
  • After returning indoors, do a self body check, change clothes, and take a shower, if possible. 
  • Check your pets for ticks regularly

What do I do if I find a tick on me?

  • Grasp it with a pair tweezers as close to your skin as possible
  • Pull the tick straight up and away from your skin, being careful not to twist or jerk
  • Dispose of the live tick by submersing it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag, or flushing it down a toilet. 
  • NEVER crush a tick between your fingers 

Common symptoms of tick-borne diseases

While symptoms and severity can vary depending on the disease, there are some common symptoms among all tick-borne diseases. Consult your medical provider if you experience one of the following symptoms after being in a potentially tick-infested area:

  • Sudden high fever
  • Rash
  • Sudden flu-like symptoms

More information about tick-borne diseases

Mosquitoes

Personal protection tips

  • Use an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – registered insect repellent, containing one of the following active ingredients:
    • DEET
    • Picardin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel or icaridin)
    • Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
    • IR3535
    • 2-undecanone 
  • Follow these tips from the CDC for insect repellent application 
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants

Protect your home

  • View infographicopens IMAGE file
  • Reduce the mosquito population around your home and property by eliminating all standing water at least once a week and scrub out any containers that were holding standing water.
  • Clean gutters
  • Fix broken screens
  • Examine tree stumps or hollow trees
  • Check pool covers
  • Check toys
  • Tip and toss or cover any buckets, bird baths, and barrels
  • Tightly cover any water containers. 
  • Use wire mesh small enough to keep mosquitoes out on containers without lids

Mosquito borne illnesses