Tools for Transient Public Water Systems

Does your truck stop, restaurant, or campsite supply water to customers from a well or other privately-owned water source? If so, you’re what I.S. EPA calls a transient noncommunity public water system. And you’re not alone.  Every business and organization across the country that serves at least 25 people—not necessarily the same people—for at least 60 days out of the year is a TNC and must comply with Safe Drinking Water Act regulations and any requirements set by the local primacy agency. 

Getting and staying in compliance can be complicated, but your state’s primacy agency and your local technical assistance providers are there to help. If you aren’t able to confidently answer any of the questions below, you should consider reaching out for guidance to ensure you are providing safe water.

• Is your system’s water source approved for public consumption?
• Are you required to have a licensed operator?
• Do you know what chemicals you’re required to sample and how frequently?
• Are you up-to-date on your sampling requirements?
• Do you know what type of treatment is best for your source water?
• Do your tanks, pipes, and pumps align with state capacity and flow rate rules?
• Do you have—and are following—an operations and maintenance plan that aligns with state and federal requirements?
• Are all other required manuals and plans up-to-date and stored in a safe location? This may include engineering plans and maps, an emergency response plan, and evidence of compliance with EPA risk management requirements.
• Do you have an organized record of all operation and maintenance activities?

You can also find more information on many of these and other small system concerns through our documents database. This short video tutorial can help you get started.