This page presents a general overview of public water system classification and population served.

The numbers reflecting public water systems (PWSs) and populations on this page are based on the Division of Water's drinking water database from January 1 to December 31, 2003. 

Total Number of PWSs:  572

Total Population Served:  3,710,628

Number of Community PWSs:  435

• Primarily served by groundwater:  112
• Primarily served by surface water:  323
• Population served by community PWSs:  3,677,877

Number of Non-Transient, Noncommunity PWSs:  59

• Primarily served by groundwater:  46
• Primarily served by surface water:  13
• Population served by Non-Transient PWSs:  22,361

Number of Transient, Noncommunity PWSs:  78

• Primarily served by groundwater:  68
• Primarily served by surface water:  10
• Population served by Transient PWSs:  10,390

A public water system (PWS) serves an average daily population of at least 25 people for at least sixty (60) days per year.  This is a water system that provides potable water for human consumption.  A PWS has at least fifteen (15) service connections or regularly serves an average of at least twenty-five (25) individuals daily at least sixty (60) days of the year. The term includes collection, treatment, storage and distribution facilities under control of the operator of the system and used primarily in connection with the system, and collection and pretreatment storage facilities not under control of the operator of the water system which are used primarily in connection with the water system.

Public Water Systems are further broken down into community or noncommunity.

Community Public Water Systems are public water systems that serve at least fifteen (15) service connections used by year-round residents or regularly serve at least twenty-five (25) year-round residents.

Non-Community Public Water Systems are public water systems that serve at least fifteen (15) service connections used by persons for a period less than year-round or which serve an average of at least twenty-five (25) individuals daily at least sixty (60) days of the year but less than year-round.

Noncommunity water systems are either transient or nontransient.

Transient non-community public water systems do not regularly serve at least twenty-five (25) of the same persons over six (6) months per year.

NonTransient non-community public water systems serve at least twenty-five (25) of the same persons over six (6) months of the year.

Semi-Public Water Systems are water systems made available for drinking or domestic use which serve more than three (3) families but do not qualify as a public water system. Semipublic water systems which are commercial facilities which serve food or drink to the public shall meet the requirements of 401 KAR 8:020.