The correct qualification for a water system as a public water supply system under the Safe Drinking Water Act is centered around specific criteria that define the scope and reach of the system’s service. This answer highlights a system that must serve at least 15 service connections or more than 25 individuals over a period extending beyond 60 days in a year.
This definition is significant because it sets a baseline for the size and usage of water systems that fall under federal regulation, ensuring that any system that reaches this threshold is subject to the health and safety standards established by the Safe Drinking Water Act. The inclusion of a minimum number of connections and individuals ensures that even small communities or water systems are monitored for water quality, which protects public health.
The other options do not align with the definitions outlined in the Act. For instance, while serving 25 people for a designated period seems reasonable, it lacks the specificity around service connections that is pivotal in the legislation. Similarly, the stipulations regarding ten connections or over 100 connections do not match the regulatory requirements detailed in the Act, which aim for the protection of not just numbers but also the operational standards of the systems serving communities.