Drinking Water Program
News and Announcements
About the Program
The Department of Environmental Protection has the primary role of
regulating public water systems in Florida. Authority derives from Chapter
403, Part IV, Florida Statutes and by delegation of the federal program
from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Department has
promulgated a number of rules in the Florida Administrative Code.
A public water system is one that provides water to 25 or
more people for at least 60 days each year or serves 15 or
more service connections. These public water systems may be
publicly or privately owned and operated.
Very small water systems which provide water for public
consumption, but which do not fall under the above definition,
are regulated by the
Department of Health and the county health
departments. Bottled water and water vending machines are
regulated by the
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,
Division of Food Safety. Digging of water wells, both
public and private, and the quantities of water that may be
extracted, are regulated by the Water Management Districts. |
