Public Health and Housing

The Environmental Health Section carries out a number of functions to promote, improve and safeguard public health throughout the Highlands. This includes liaising with SEPA, Scottish Water and the Health Board regarding any public health incidents such as foodborne disease outbreaks.

Nuisance

Officers have wide ranging powers to deal with nuisances that may be causing extreme annoyance or affecting somebody’s health. This can include a number of situations such as noise nuisance, sewage leaks from septic tanks, properties in such poor condition that it affects people’s health, dust from building works, and foul smells affecting properties.

Water Supplies

The Section has a duty to monitor approximately 2000 private water supplies that serve 10,000 people throughout the Highlands. Officers can offer advice on improving and maintaining private water supplies and take enforcement action where necessary. The Section also liases with Scottish Water regarding the safety of public (mains) water supplies.

Housing Grants and Housing Defects

Officers assess and administer the Housing Grant system that enables people to apply for grants to assist in repairing, or improving their homes. Grants are also available for making a house suitable for the accommodation, welfare and employment of a disabled occupant. In assessing housing defects officers will consider a number of problems including the potential for radon to affect the property. Officers have formal powers to improve properties in serious disrepair or which fail to meet the tolerable standard.

Infectious Disease Control

Officers from the Section play an important role in assisting the Health Board with the investigation of any waterborne or foodborne disease.

For further information on any of these matters please contact your area   Environmental Health Office.