According to the TCEQ, how many service connections must a public water system serve to be classified as such?

A public water system, as defined by TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality), must serve at least 15 service connections to meet the classification criteria. This benchmark is rooted in legislation and regulations that ensure systems providing water to the public meet certain operational and safety standards.

Service connections refer to the points where water supply lines connect to the buildings or premises served, reflecting the number of households, businesses, or facilities receiving water. By establishing the minimum at 15, TCEQ ensures that smaller systems, which may not have the resources or infrastructure of larger ones, are still recognized and held accountable, thus safeguarding public health and safety through regulated water quality and service.

The other options represent service connection thresholds that do not align with the TCEQ’s definition for a public water system, making them incorrect.