What is a Community Water System?

A Community Water System refers to a public water supply system that serves multiple homes or businesses in a designated area. This typically includes systems that supply water to residential neighborhoods, but it may also include facilities like RV parks, which cater to transient populations seeking access to potable water.

The focus of a Community Water System is on providing water to a specific community of users, which can encompass a variety of settings, including parks designed for recreational vehicles, where both residents and visitors need reliable access to clean water for consumption and hygiene. Such systems must adhere to regulations set by authorities to ensure safe drinking water is provided to all users.

In contrast, systems that serve exclusively residential areas may not encompass diverse users like RV parks, while those designed primarily for industrial use do not fit the definition of a Community Water System since their main purpose is not to provide drinking water for a community. A system focusing on wastewater recycling is also outside the scope of community water supply, as it deals with treating used water rather than providing safe drinking water. Therefore, the classification of a system serving RV parks aligns closely with the objectives of a Community Water System.