Operator terms · Water
What is a sanitary survey?
A sanitary survey is an on-site review of a public water system, its sources, treatment, storage, distribution, monitoring, and operations, to find conditions that could affect safe drinking water. Regulators use it to check that a system is protecting public health.
Last reviewed 2026-08-03
What it covers
The survey looks at the whole system: where the water comes from, how it is treated and stored, how it moves through the distribution system, how it is monitored, and how the system is operated and managed.
Why it matters to operators
A sanitary survey can identify deficiencies a system must correct. Keeping good records, a protected source, and a well-run distribution system is how an operator is ready for one.
Common questions
- What is a sanitary survey?
- An on-site review of a public water system to protect drinking water safety.
- What does it look at?
- Source, treatment, storage, distribution, monitoring, and operations.
- Who conducts it?
- The regulatory agency that oversees the water system.