Establishing a New Public Water System: The Basics

In setting up a public water system—the water supply along with any treatment works needed and the pumps and pipes that deliver drinkable water to your customers—you accept a significant responsibility for a key aspect of the health of your customers.

Here are the key steps to beginning to accept that responsibility:

• Contact TCEQ staff well before construction of your planned system begins. They will help you determine if and what type of information is needed as well as what programs you will be regulated by.
• In accordance with Title 30, Texas Administrative Code, Section 290.39(m), the owner or responsible official must provide written notification to the TCEQ of the startup of a new public water supply system or the reactivation of an existing public water supply system. This notification must be made immediately upon meeting the definition of a public water system as defined in Title 30, Texas Administrative Code, Section 290.38.
• Refer to the Checklist for Proposed Public Water Supply for further information.
• If you are drilling a well in one of the counties listed, then you must conduct radionuclide testing for interim approval. It is highly recommended that radionuclide testing be performed on a test well before the public supply well is built.
• For information regarding utilities, please click here.

Contact us if you have questions about your drinking water system.