According to TCEQ, how many service connections must a water system have to be classified as a public water system?

A water system is classified as a public water system by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) based on the number of service connections it has. The threshold for this classification is 15 service connections. This means that if a water system provides water to at least 15 connections, it is subject to specific regulatory requirements that apply to public water systems. These regulations are designed to ensure safe and reliable drinking water for the community served by the system.

Having fewer than 15 service connections typically classifies a system as a non-public system, which may have different or lesser regulatory obligations. Thus, the definition provided aligns with regulatory standards set by TCEQ to differentiate between public and private water systems, underscoring the importance of operational structure in public health and safety.