Which factor is not used to determine the number of monthly bacteriological samples required for a public water system?

Which factor is not used to determine the number of monthly bacteriological samples required for a public water system?

• A. Source water temperature
• B. Population served
• C. System size (number of connections)
• D. Type of water source (groundwater vs surface water)

Answer: (A)

The regular monthly bacteriological sampling schedule is determined by how large the system is and how many people it serves. Larger systems with more connections require more routine samples to ensure representative monitoring across the network. The type of water source (groundwater vs surface water) may influence risk considerations or additional monitoring, but it does not set the number of monthly samples. Source water temperature isn’t used to determine how many samples are required, which makes it the correct choice.

The regular monthly bacteriological sampling schedule is determined by how large the system is and how many people it serves. Larger systems with more connections require more routine samples to ensure representative monitoring across the network. The type of water source (groundwater vs surface water) may influence risk considerations or additional monitoring, but it does not set the number of monthly samples. Source water temperature isn’t used to determine how many samples are required, which makes it the correct choice.