The utility manages source treatment and regulated system monitoring. The homeowner still needs property evidence for plumbing or tap-specific questions.
Source-first treatment planning
City Water vs Well Water Treatment Decision Tree
Choose the right evidence and treatment-research path for a public water system or private well, including notices, reports, testing, sizing and verification.
✓ Public-system and well paths separated✓ Emergencies diverted first✓ No generic product prescription
Why source comes first
A Consumer Confidence Report applies to its named public water system. A private well needs its own testing, source-protection, treatment, and retesting plan.
Mailing city ≠ water sourceThat may be a city utility, municipal utility district, water authority, or another public supplier. Use the name on the bill—not the mailing city—to identify it.
Interactive decision tree
Start with what supplies the property
Choose the best current answer. The tree will expose the next evidence step and stop when the information is not strong enough for equipment selection.
Step 1
Decision boundary: This tool organizes the evidence path. It does not diagnose water, interpret an emergency, select a provider, or prescribe a treatment system for an address.
How the paths differ
Public-system context and private-well responsibility are not interchangeable
The owner is responsible for testing, treatment, maintenance, and retesting. Equipment must also fit the well pump and hydraulic conditions.