Which statement about a sanitary survey is true?

• A. It only evaluates water quality samples.
• B. It evaluates safety and deficiencies but not distribution capabilities.
• C. It is conducted quarterly.
• D. It evaluates whether the water system can produce and distribute safe water and identify deficiencies for correction.

Answer: (D)

Sanitary surveys are a comprehensive, system-wide review of a water system to determine if it can consistently produce and deliver safe drinking water. They look beyond just water quality results and examine the source water, treatment processes, storage and distribution components, and the management and operational controls that keep the system safe. The goal is to identify deficiencies or risks across the whole system and outline corrective actions to protect public health. This broader scope is why the statement describing the survey as evaluating whether the system can produce and distribute safe water and identifying deficiencies for correction is true. It isn’t limited to sampling, and it includes distribution concerns. The survey isn’t a quarterly activity; it’s conducted on a periodic basis to assess overall safety rather than on a quarterly schedule.