West Dunbartonshire Council also has a duty to ensure that public supplies are adequate and wholesome. Scottish Water informs West Dunbartonshire Council about the results of water samples from reservoirs and treatment works.
Additionally the Environmental Health Section respond to complaints about water quality which may impact on health and regularly take samples for bacteriological and chemical analysis.
2. Private Water Supplies
Not all properties take their water from the public water main. Due to their location some people must make their own arrangements for water supply to their home or business. This arrangement is known as Private Water Supply.
Sometimes several owners will get their water from the same source, usually a spring. Such supplies are often poorly protected both as source water and within the catchment serving the source. They are often situated in areas with grazing livestock.
In West Dunbartonshire more than 50 homes have private water supplies. The Council has a duty to ensure that these supplies are wholesome and adequate. An annual sampling programme fulfills this duty. If supplies fail to reach the standards laid down by law the Council can serve notice requiring the owner to treat the water to make it safe to drink.
Private Water Supplies are categorised according to their use and size and the sampling programme is tailored accordingly. The Scottish Executive is informed of results of the sampling and any action taken in respect of Private Water Supplies on an annual basis.
Private Water Supplies tend to be unreliable and require regular maintenance and supervision.
3. Swimming Pools
Swimming is a popular way of keeping fit and an enjoyable activity for many people. However, if the water is inadequately treated, swimming pools can be a source of infection.
There are many variables which add together to make the chemistry of swimming pool water very complex. Diligent monitoring by the pool operator is therefore essential to ensure that the water is safe for swimmers.
The pool operator regularly carries monitoring in the form of poolside testing.
The Environmental Health Section carries out monitoring of pool waters as a basic public health exercise. Around 90 samples are taken per year and results notified to the pool operator who is responsible for ensuring that the pool water is safe for bathers.
Housing
The Environmental Health Section is responsible for ensuring that privately owned housing within West Dunbartonshire Council is maintained in a satisfactory state of repair.
Where serious disrepair is identified within a property the Environmental Health Section may take enforcement action to ensure that the owner(s) of the property carry out the necessary repairs.
Please note that although the Environmental Health Section can investigate complaints about Council housing or a Housing Association property, such complaints should be made in the first instance to the Councils Housing Dept. or to the appropriate Housing Association.
View West Dunbartonshire Council's Public Health Service Plan (2006 Revision).
Useful Links
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA)
Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland (CIH)
Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS)
