Sanitary Survey
Sanitary Surveys are conducted at public water systems (PWS) by DPH Drinking Water Section (DWS) engineers at a frequency of once every 3 years for Community PWS and once every 5 years for Non-Community PWS or more frequently if water quality issues or system issues arise. A Sanitary Survey as defined by the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (RCSA) Section 19-13-B102(a) means an on-site inspection of the water source(s), treatment, distribution system, finished water storage, pumping facilities and controls, monitoring and reporting data, system management and operation, and operator compliance with department requirements.
The PWS will be contacted by DPH engineers in advance to schedule a time during normal business hours that is convenient for the sanitary survey to be conducted and will arrive on-site at the arranged time with proper identification (DPH ID badge). Please refer to either the Community or Non-Community sections (depending on your PWS classification) below for more information regarding what to expect and how to prepare for your sanitary survey.
Community PWS
Please see the sanitary survey preparation reminders below. In order to maximize the time spent with your DPH engineer during the sanitary survey, please provide the information requested below. Also please note that new for 2018, a Community Sanitary Survey Capacity Questionnaire will be required as part of the sanitary survey in order to comply with all regulatory requirements.
Who should attend your sanitary survey?
- PWS Director, Owner or Board/Association Chairperson
- Certified Water System Operator (required by regulation)
What can you do to prepare for the sanitary survey?
- Review previous sanitary survey report(s) and be prepared to discuss findings and resolution of any deficiencies that were previously cited
- If there were any physical or operational changes to your water system since the last survey, please have this information available
- Ensure all water system facilities are clean, operational and accessible.Be prepared and have the necessary equipment available to open any manhole covers on well pits and/or concrete covers on dug wells, if applicable.
- Have copies of the following available:
- Updated integrated distribution map showing source(s) of supply, treatment, pumping, storage facilities and water mains
- Emergency Contingency and Response Plan
- PWS Fiscal and Asset Management Plan (if applicable)
- Compiled water use records from weekly meter readings of instantaneous and totalizing flows for each source of supply for the past calendar year (Average Day Demand, Max Month Average Day Demand) If needed the Sanitary Survey Meter Reading form can be used to provide the instantaneous and totalizing weekly readings for each well source. For CWS utilizing Surface Water Sources use the Surface Water Sanitary Survey Meter Reading Form
- Most recent atmospheric storage tank inspection report for each atmospheric tank (if applicable)
- Water treatment logs (if applicable)
- Documentation of National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certifications for any water treatment chemicals used (if applicable)
What happens after the sanitary survey?
The PWS will receive a written report of the sanitary survey findings within 2-4 weeks of the site visit. A response from the PWS is due back to the department within 30 days of the report date if any deficiencies are identified or if any additional information is required. If applicable, a sanitary survey response form will be included with your sanitary survey report to help you clearly communicate back to the department how you have addressed all deficiencies. All significant deficiencies are required to be addressed or in a department-approved corrective action plan within 120 days.
Helpful Compliance Reminders from DWS
- Your water quality monitoring and compliance schedule is available on the DWS website where you can check the status of sample results submission to the department.The monitoring schedule will also track any pending or overdue compliance schedules for your PWS.
- Emergency power for all critical facilities and an Emergency Contingency and Response Plan are now required for Community PWS under RCSA Section 19-13-B102w which was passed into law on 12/17/2015
- Pursuant to Public Act 18-168 §61, small Community PWS serving between 25 and 1,000 residents are required to prepare a Fiscal and Asset Management Plan for all capital assets by January 1, 2021. Further, the fiscal and asset management plan shall include a prioritized fiscal and asset assessment of any hydropneumatic storage tanks which shall be submitted to the Department no later than May 2, 2019. Please visit the Capacity Development for Small Water Systems webpage for more details regarding this new requirement.
- Any new treatment or water system infrastructure projects should be submitted for review and approval in accordance with RCSA Section 19-13-B102d(2) prior to construction. Project plans and specifications should be submitted to the department using the General Application Form found on the DWS website.
List of Community PWS due to be surveyed in 2019
Community PWS Sanitary Survey Capacity Questionnaire
Non-Community PWS (Non-Transient Non-Community (NTNC) and Transient Non-Community (TNC))
Please see the sanitary survey preparation reminders below. In order to maximize the time spent with your DPH engineer during the sanitary survey, please provide the information requested below.
Who should attend your sanitary survey?
- PWS Owner
- Certified Water System Operator (required by regulation for NTNC only)
What can you do to prepare for the sanitary survey?
- Identify location of on-site septic system or sewer line and any storm drainage lines
- Determine the well pump withdrawal rate (in gallons per minute)
- Review previous sanitary survey reports and be prepared to discuss findings and resolution of any deficiencies that were previously cited
- If there were any physical or operational changes to your water system since the last survey, please have this information available
- Ensure all water system facilities are clean, operational and accessible.Be prepared and have the necessary equipment available to open any manhole covers on well pits and/or concrete covers on dug wells, if applicable.
- Have copies of the following available:
- Most recent atmospheric storage tank inspection report for each atmospheric tank (if applicable)
- Water treatment logs (if applicable)
- Documentation of National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certifications for any water treatment chemicals used (if applicable)
How long will the sanitary survey take?
- The sanitary survey will take 30-60 minutes or more depending on the complexity of the system
What happens after the sanitary survey?
The PWS will receive a written report of the sanitary survey findings within 2-4 weeks of the site visit. A response from the PWS is due back to the department within 30 days of the report date if any deficiencies are identified or if any additional information is required. If applicable, a sanitary survey response form will be included with your sanitary survey report to help you address all deficiencies. All significant deficiencies are required to be addressed or in a department-approved corrective action plan within 120 days.
Helpful Compliance Reminders from DWS
- Your water quality monitoring and compliance schedule is available on the DWS website where you can check the status of sample results submission to the department.The monitoring schedule will also track any pending or overdue compliance schedules for your PWS.
- Any new treatment or water system infrastructure projects should be submitted for review and approval in accordance with RCSA Section 19-13-B102d(2) prior to construction. Project plans and specifications should be submitted using the General Application Form found on the DWS website.