If a community water system serves 34,673 people with 5 wells, how many samples should be collected per month?

To determine the number of samples that should be collected per month for a community water system serving 34,673 people, it's important to refer to regulatory guidelines established by environmental authorities, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These guidelines typically require that water systems take samples based on the number of people served and the number of sources (in this case, wells) used.

For community water systems serving populations in the range of 34,000 to 35,000, the standard sampling requirement usually falls within a specific number of samples per month. In this case, the correct number of monthly samples is established to ensure adequate monitoring for potential contaminants and to maintain water quality standards.

The correct answer reflects the sampling frequency required for community systems, which often necessitates a set number of samples derived from both the size of the population and the number of wells in operation. In this instance, 45 samples is the aligned quantity as it represents a responsible monitoring effort, adhering to public health standards to ensure that the water supply is safe for the community it serves.

This number of samples helps to create a comprehensive picture of the water quality, ensuring that any variations or potential contamination events are identified promptly.