New Water System Onboarding

A public water system (PWS) is defined by the number of people it serves or connections it provides, not by ownership.

Specifically, any system with 15 or more service connections or that serves 25 or more people is considered a PWS. In Utah, a system with at least eight service connections is assumed to serve 25 people. This designation applies regardless of whether the system is privately or publicly owned. Systems serving fewer than 15 connections or 25 people are classified as private water systems and are not regulated by the Utah Division of Drinking Water. Local resources are available for those private systems to ensure water safety.

If a system is not currently at the public water persons or service connection threshold but plans to be in the future, fill out the New PWS Application. Indicate its anticipated date of reaching that threshold, and begin working with DDW Engineering to ensure your facilities meet standards. It is often more expensive for a water system to achieve approval after the facilities are in service and carries a significant risk of enforcement for non-compliance with state and federal drinking water regulations.

Populations often fluctuate for systems close to the regulatory threshold of 25 people. Utah drinking water rule R309-100-4(1)(b)(ii) states that a drinking water system consisting of at least eight service connections is considered to serve 25 people based on a ratio of 3.1 persons per connection. Counting connections instead of fluctuating populations prevents wasting state resources and provides consistent regulation for the public. 

A consecutive connection water system is a public water system that buys or receives its drinking water from another system rather than having its own source, like a well or a spring. Essentially, it’s connected downstream from another system providing treated water.

Even though they receive treated water, water quality can degrade as it moves through the consecutive system’s distribution network. This can happen due to aging infrastructure, biofilm formation, or leaks that allow contaminants to enter the system.

Consecutive systems may have different monitoring and testing capabilities than the primary system. This can lead to undetected contamination events, such as bacterial growth or chemical imbalances.

Without proper safeguards, water from the consecutive system can become contaminated through cross-connections or backflow from non-potable sources. This can become harmful to people using the water, 

Consecutive systems rely on another system for their water supply, which can delay identifying and addressing contamination or water quality issues. This increases the risk of exposure to harmful contaminants. Contamination can lead to potential health risks if users are not promptly informed. 

1. Notify the Division of Drinking Water (DDW): The buyer and seller must notify the Utah Division of Drinking Water before any transaction. This ensures that the DDW is aware of the potential change in ownership and can provide guidance on regulatory responsibilities.
2. Submit Ownership Transfer Form: Complete and submit the ownership transfer form provided by the DDW. This document ensures that all legal ownership information is updated in the state’s records.
3. Understand Regulatory Responsibilities: As the new owner, familiarize yourself with the Utah Public Drinking Water rules and regulations (R309). These include water quality monitoring, reporting, and system maintenance responsibilities.
4. Obtain Necessary Certifications: Ensure that you, or your operator, hold any required certifications. Public water systems in Utah must have certified operators, and these certifications may need to be transferred or updated with the DDW.
5. Perform a System Assessment: Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the water system’s infrastructure, compliance history, and current condition. This may include reviewing recent sanitary surveys, water quality reports, and any existing violations or compliance schedules.
6. Maintain Compliance During Transition: Ensure that all regulatory requirements, including monitoring and reporting, are maintained during the transition period. This helps to prevent any lapses in compliance that could lead to penalties or public health risks.
7. Submit Change of Address (if applicable): If the system’s mailing address or contact information changes, promptly submit the necessary updates to the DDW ([email protected]) to ensure timely receipt of all correspondence.
8. Consult Legal and Technical Experts: It is recommended that you seek legal and technical advice during the process to ensure that all aspects of the transaction comply with state and federal regulations.
9. Review Financial Obligations: Before completing the transaction, verify that all financial obligations, such as fees, fines, or loans associated with the water system, are settled.
10. Develop a Transition Plan: Work with the seller to develop a transition plan that outlines the steps for taking over system operations, including key contacts, maintenance schedules, and emergency response procedures.
11. Complete the Transaction: Once all steps are completed and the DDW has been informed of the new ownership, finalize the sale or purchase of the water system.
12. Ongoing Communication with DDW: After the sale, maintain open communication with the DDW to ensure continued compliance and address any issues that may arise as the new owner.

Private water systems serve groups of less than 25 persons, typically single-family residential wells. Private systems may be subject to regulations enforced by local health departments or other local authorities instead of state drinking water agencies like the Utah Division of Drinking Water. Oversight may vary depending on local ordinances and regulations.

Although the Utah Division of Drinking Water does not regulate private wells, the Division encourages well owners to educate themselves about water quality and drinking water health issues. Owners should investigate adjacent land uses and local geology to determine potential contamination sources. Private well owners are strongly encouraged to collect periodic water samples to test for bacteria and other contaminants. Please refer to the list of Utah Certified Laboratories to find nearby facilities and their authorized testing capabilities.