A public water system is defined as a system for the provision to the public of water for human consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances, if such system has at least fifteen service connections or regularly serves at least twenty-five individuals.

There are two types of public water system: Community and Noncommunity. A Community Water System has "at least 15 service connections used by year around residents, or regularly serves at least twenty-five year around residents". Examples of a Community Water System are mobile home communities and municipalities. A Noncommunity Water System is a public water system used by individuals other than year around residents for at least sixty days of the year. A Noncommunity Water System can be either Transient or Nontransient. A Nontransient Noncommunity Water System "serves at least twenty-five of the same persons over six months per year," such as schools, factories, and office buildings. Transient Noncommunity Water System is a system that does not fall within the definition of a Nontransient Noncommunity Water System. Transient Noncommunity Water Systems include rest stop areas, restaurants, and motels.

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