Certified Professional Food Safety (CP-FS) Practice Exam

Which standard must non-public drinking water sources adhere to?

1. Regulations set by local municipality only

2. National Primary Drinking Water Regulations

3. Norms established by the World Health Organization

4. Industry standards set forth by food safety organizations

The correct answer is: National Primary Drinking Water Regulations

Non-public drinking water sources must adhere to the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. This set of federal regulations is established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure the safety of drinking water in the United States. These regulations are designed to protect public health by limiting the levels of specific contaminants in drinking water and ensuring that the source of the water meets certain safety standards. By adhering to these regulations, non-public sources—such as private wells—are required to undergo testing for contaminants and treat the water if necessary, thereby helping to prevent waterborne illnesses and other health risks associated with unsafe drinking water. This ensures that even sources not regulated by municipal systems still provide safe, potable water to consumers. While local municipalities may have certain regulations in place, and the World Health Organization provides guidelines and standards internationally, the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations specifically target compliance in the United States for both public and non-public drinking water sources.