Sanitary Survey Program

What is a Sanitary Survey?

"Sanitary Survey" means an on-site review of the water source, facilities, equipment, operation and maintenance of a public water system to evaluate the adequacy of such source, facilities, equipment, operation and maintenance for producing and distributing safe drinking water.

Conducting sanitary surveys on a routine basis is an important element in preventing contamination of drinking water supplies. DEP recognizes the importance of sound sanitary surveys in helping water systems protect public health. Sanitary surveys are an opportunity to work and communicate with water systems in a preventative mode.

Under 40 CFR 142.10(b)(2), as a condition of state primacy, states are required to have “a systematic program for conducting sanitary surveys of public water systems in the state, with priority given to sanitary surveys of public water systems not in compliance with state primary drinking water regulations.”

Currently public water systems in Florida undergo sanitary surveys once every three or five years, depending on the type of system. Results of the survey are provided to the system within a Sanitary Survey Report. Doing so helps to gain a working knowledge of the operation, maintenance, management and technology of water systems to identify sanitary risks which may interrupt the “multiple barrier” protection system and adversely affect the ability of a water system to provide safe water.

The eight elements of a sanitary survey are:

1. Operator compliance with regulations.
2. Source protection, physical components and condition.
3. Treatment.
4. Finished water storage.
5. Distribution.
6. Pumps/pump facility and controls.
7. Monitoring, reporting and data verification.
8. Water system management and operations.