How often should a Non-community Water System have a sanitary survey performed?

• A. Every 3 years
• B. Every 2 years
• C. Every 5 years
• D. Every 10 years

Answer: (C)

A sanitary survey is a formal, on-site review of a drinking water system to identify vulnerabilities in sources, treatment, distribution, and overall operation, with the goal of ensuring safe drinking water. For non-community water systems, the standard interval for these surveys is every five years. This frequency provides regular oversight appropriate for smaller, non-community systems while balancing regulatory resources and practical workload. The survey examines factors like source protection, treatment effectiveness, cross-connection controls, storage and distribution integrity, backflow prevention, recordkeeping, and operator practices. While some states may adjust timing based on specific risks or findings, the general requirement for non-community systems is a five-year cycle.