Public water system

Public water system is a regulatory term used in the United States and Canada, referring to certain utilities and organizations providing drinking water. The US Safe Drinking Water Act and derivative legislation define "public water system" as an entity that provides "water for human consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances to at least 15 service connections or serves an average of at least 25 people for at least 60 days a year." The term "public" in "public water system" refers to the people drinking the water, not to the ownership of the system. Some US states (e.g. New York) have varying definitions. Over 286 million Americans get their tap water from a community water system. Eight percent of the community water systems—large municipal water systems—provide water to 82 percent of the US population. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has defined three types of public water systems: Community Water System (CWS). A public water system that supplies water to the same population year-round. Non-Transient Non-Community Water System (NTNCWS). A public water system that regularly supplies water to at least 25 of the same people at least six months per year. Some examples are schools, factories, office buildings, and hospitals which have their own water systems. Transient Non-Community Water System (TNCWS). A public water system that provides water in a place such as a gas station or campground where people do not remain for long periods of time. There are over 148,000 public water systems. Approximately 52,000 CWS serve the majority of the U.S. population Approximately 85,000 NTNCWS Approximately 18,000 TNCWS. EPA also classifies water systems according to the number of people they serve: Very Small water systems serve 25-500 people Small water systems serve 501-3,300 people Medium water systems serve 3,301-10,000 people Large water systems serve 10,001-100,000 people Very Large water systems serve over 100,000 people.