What's the difference between a PWS well and a domestic well?

In summary, the main differences between domestic and PWS wells are their ownership, purpose, and regulatory requirements. Domestic wells are privately owned and provide water to individual homes, while PWS wells and provide water to communities, and are subject to more stringent regulations to ensure minimum standards of water quantity, quality and safety.

A domestic well is a well that is used for providing water to a single family home or a small group of homes. It is typically a private well that is owned and maintained by the property owner, and is not subject to regulation by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

On the other hand, a PWS (Public Water System) well is a well that is used to provide water to a community or venues that serve large groups of people, such as a wine tasting room. PWS wells are regulated by the SDWA, which sets standards for water quality and requires regular testing and reporting to ensure that the water is safe to drink.

The SDWA defines a PWS as a system that provides water for human consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances to at least 15 service connections or serves at least 25 people for at least 60 days a year. PWS wells can be owned by municipalities, water districts, or private businesses or individuals.

In summary, the main differences between domestic and PWS wells are their ownership, purpose, and regulatory requirements. Domestic wells are privately owned and provide water to individual homes, while PWS wells and provide water to communities, and are subject to more stringent regulations to ensure minimum standards of water quantity, quality and safety.