Sanitary Survey

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Sanitary survey is on-site review of a public water system’s water source, facilities, equipment, operation, and maintenance. Surveys point out sanitary deficiencies and assess a system’s capability to supply safe drinking water. A federally mandated review, sanitary survey lowers the risk of waterborne disease and identifies systems that require technical or capacity development. Eight areas are evaluated for compliance: water sources; treatment; distribution systems; finished water storage; pumps, pump facilities and controls; monitoring, reporting and data verification; water system management and operations; and operator compliance with state requirements.

Survey Requirements

System Type	Frequency
Non-community water system	Every 5 years
Community water system	Every 3 years
Community water system with outstanding performance based on prior sanitary surveys	Every 5 years

* State surface water, ground water, and GWUDI (Ground Water Under the Direct Influence of Surface Water) systems must survey accordingly.

Training Resources

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.

See the Academy’s training calendar for upcoming sanitary survey training sessions or order from the list of free training materials below by calling the National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP) at (800)-490-9198.

Basic System Operations Sanitary Survey Prep Course (CD) Sanitary Survey: Before You Begin (DVD) Troubleshooting Guide for Small Drinking Water Systems (PDF) CD Version Electronic Sanitary Survey (PDA Tablet PC)	Sanitary Survey Training Learner’s Guide (PDF, 6.8M) | Order Form | Errata Sheet (PDF 5pp, 125K) Sanitary Survey Learner's Guide Photo Gallery (Requires Adobe Flash) Inspector’s Field Guide (Ground Water) (PDF, 2.4M) | Order Form Inspector’s Field Guide (Surface Water) (PDF, 2.4M) | Order Form Addendum 1: Ground Water Rule, Significant Deficiencies (PDF, 204KB) Addendum 2: Storage of Chemicals (PDF, 204KB)	EPA Requirements / Reference Material Cross-Connection Control Manual | Order Form Quick Reference Guides to EPA Rules Conducting Sanitary Survey of Public Water systems – surface water under the influence Sanitary Survey Guidance Manual for Groundwater Systems
Security Considerations Learner’s Guide to Security Considerations PDF (62pp, 372K) | Order Form Security Vulnerability Self-Assessment Guide (less than 3300; 3300-10,000 Population	Other Resources Clean Water Needs Survey Watershed-based NPDES Permitting Implementation Guidance (PDF) Technology Reports Water Quality Trading Wastewater Information System Tool (TWIST) Construction SWPP Guide (PDF) 10 State Standards