What is the minimum number of connections or people that define a public or privately owned water system?

The definition of a public or privately owned water system is based on the number of connections to the system or the number of people it serves. The standard for determining whether a water system falls under regulatory requirements typically states that a system must have at least 15 service connections or serve at least 25 individuals. This criterion helps identify systems that are large enough to require monitoring, reporting, and maintenance to ensure the safety and quality of drinking water provided to the public.

Hence, the option specifying at least 15 connections or serving at least 25 people accurately reflects the minimum threshold defined by regulatory standards, ensuring that systems of this size are adequately managed to maintain public health and safety.