What is the minimum number of individuals a water system must regularly serve to be considered a public water system?

To define a public water system, regulatory standards set criteria regarding the number of individuals served. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a public water system is one that provides water for human consumption to at least 25 individuals or has at least 15 service connections. This means that for a water system to be categorized as public, it must regularly serve a minimum of 25 people. This definition is crucial as it helps establish the systems that fall under specific regulatory oversight, ensuring safety and compliance with water quality standards.

The option indicating 25 reflects this threshold, making it the accurate choice. Systems serving fewer than this number are typically classified differently and may not be subject to the same regulatory requirements. Therefore, understanding this minimum is essential for recognizing what constitutes a public water system and the regulatory obligations tied to it.