Limited Use Public Water Systems

This program deals with Limited Use Public Water Systems (LUPWS), public water systems which are not covered by the Safe Drinking Water Act.  Definitions for these systems and statutory authorization to regulate them are found in section 381.0062, Florida Statutes (F.S.).

In general, these are small public water systems that either serve a very small population or otherwise serve water on a very limited basis. More specifically, these are systems that serve less than 15 service connections OR less than 25 people OR provide water to the public less than 60 days per year. There are two types of limited use public water systems: Community and Commercial.

Community LUPWS water systems serve piped water to five or more private residences or two or more rental residences.

Commercial LUPWS systems serve piped water to one or more non-residential establishments. If a commercial LUPWS provides no water for public consumption, it can obtain "registered" status and be exempt from the requirement to obtain an annual operating permit.

Multi-family water systems provide piped water to three or four private residences, one of which may be a rental residence. Private water systems provide piped water to one or two residences, one of which may be a rental residence. Chapter 64E-8, Florida Administrative Code, establishes the standards to construct, modify or operate public and private water systems that fall under 381.0062, F.S.

Please visit the Florida Department of Health Limited Use Wells website for more information.