How many service connections define a public water system under the Safe Drinking Water Act?

A public water system, as defined by the Safe Drinking Water Act, is one that serves at least 15 service connections or regularly serves an average of at least 25 individuals daily for at least 60 days out of the year. The significance of this definition lies in the regulatory framework that applies to water systems to ensure public health and safety.

By establishing the threshold at 15 service connections, the legislation focuses on systems that provide water to a sizable number of people, recognizing the need for stringent oversight and monitoring of water quality and safety standards. Systems with fewer connections than this threshold might not pose the same public health risks or may not be significant enough to warrant the same level of regulatory scrutiny.

This understanding emphasizes the importance of maintaining water quality in larger systems, given that they have the potential to impact the health of more individuals.