Ventilation and air-conditioning systems which are poorly installed or maintained may be a health risk to the public. The local authority can provide advice and guidance on all aspects of installation and can require that detailed plans are submitted for inspection prior to installation of new units. This particularly applies to catering establishments.

Each council has responsibility for measuring the quality of ambient air to ensure that it meets required standards in relation to the concentration of a defined range of pollutants such as lead, nitrogen dioxide, benzene etc. The local authority is also required to keep a copy of any orders made under relevant legislation.

Residents and business may be given advice on what to do if they believe asbestos may be present in a building. Council inspectors may visit the premises to confirm the presence of asbestos and advise on procedures for removal and disposal.

The local authority is responsible for ensuring compliance with regulations such as those which control smoke emissions and the height of chimneys and those relating to the content and composition of motor fuels.

Advice and information for developers and for the local community on risks of pollution from construction work. The local authority will monitor construction work to minimise pollution caused by noise, dust and other nuisances.

Management of contaminated land including a register which is available for public inspection

Enforceable regulations that govern the public's right to access environmental information held by public authorities including local authorities. Environmental information covered by the regulations includes the state of the air, atmosphere, water, soil, land, landscape, as well as factors affecting the above elements such as substances, energy, noise, radiation or waste, emissions, discharges into the environment.

A local authority may carry out roadside vehicle emission checks in an effort to reduce pollution from road traffic. All vehicles which are stopped will be tested to see if their vehicle is emitting pollutants above the legal standard. Drivers of vehicles which fail the test may have to pay a fine.

A local authority may enforce powers to deal with idling vehicles. If you idle your vehicle unnecessarily while stopped you could be faced with a fixed penalty ticket

Dealing with reports of incidents of light pollution

Complaints about excessive noise are investigated by the local authority who can take action if the noise is considered to be a statutory nuisance.

In general terms a private water supply is on which is not a 'mains' supply. Most private supplies are situated in the more remote, rural parts of the country. The source of the supply may be a well, borehole, spring, burn, river, loch or lochin. The supply may serve just one property or several properties through a network of pipes. The environmental health department will usually offer to monitor the quality and safety of private drinking water supplies. In most circumstances, for domestic premises this is a free service. Tests on the chemical and microbiological quality of the water will be carried out. Guidance will be provided to improve the quality of the water should it fail any of the tests.

Cesspools and septic tanks should normally be emptied at least once a year to avoid problems occurring. Councils will usually provide this service for local residents and businesses under payment of the appropriate charge. Scottish water provide this service in Scotland.

Local authorities may declare the whole or part of the district of the authority to be a Smoke Control Area. It is an offence to emit smoke from a chimney of a building, (commercial or residential), from a furnace or from any fixed boiler if located in a designated smoke control area. It is also an offence to acquire an 'unauthorised fuel' for use within a Smoke Control Area unless it is used in an 'exempt' appliance ('exempted' from the controls which generally apply in the smoke control area).

In the event of justified complaint of statutory nuisance such as emissions of smoke, fumes or gases, dust, steam and smell a penalty notice will be served upon the person responsible by the local authority.

Working with the Environment Agency in a number of ways to prevent or control pollution. This is done by prompt reporting of incidents, ensuring that emissions from industries controlled by the Council are properly controlled and by preventing pollution of water by dealing with any contamination of land.

The local authority has a responsibility to monitor the quality of water in rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters and groundwater. This includes issues such as sewage treatment and disposal, bathing waters, dangerous substances, nitrates from agricultural sources, and economic instruments for water pollution.