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. 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: