The Texas TCEQ Public Water System Registration is the official filing every owner of a public water system in Texas must submit to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality before the system delivers water to the public, and it uses Form 10443 (PWS Registration/Update) along with the Form 20698 Notice of Intent to Operate when the system is brand new. The current revision date stamped on Form 10443 is Revised 03/2024, and you should always confirm the date printed in the bottom-left corner before you start writing.
Filing this registration tells TCEQ what type of system you operate, how many people you serve, where your water comes from, and who is legally responsible. Getting any of that wrong can delay your PWS ID number, block your plan approval under 30 TAC §290.39, and trigger administrative penalties under Texas Water Code §7.052. Texas has more than 7,000 active public water systems, and TCEQ reports that roughly 1 in 5 first-time PWS submissions are returned for missing or wrong information.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📋 Exactly which TCEQ forms you need and where to download them
- 🧭 Step-by-step, line-by-line instructions for every field on Form 10443 and Form 20698
- 👥 Three full filled-out examples for the most common PWS types in Texas
- 📬 How to file by mail, email, STEERS, and in person, with fees and proof-of-filing tips
- ⚠️ The mistakes that get a registration kicked back and how to avoid them
What the TCEQ Public Water System Registration Is and Who Must File It
A Public Water System (PWS) registration is the legal act of telling TCEQ that you own or operate a system that provides water for human consumption to at least 15 service connections or serves at least 25 people for at least 60 days a year, the threshold set by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and adopted in 30 TAC §290.38. Once you register, TCEQ assigns a seven-digit PWS ID number that follows the system for life and links every sample, inspection, and violation back to the owner of record.
Three system types exist in Texas, and you must pick one on the form. A Community Water System (CWS) serves residents year-round, like a city, subdivision, or mobile home park. A Non-Transient Non-Community (NTNC) system serves the same 25 or more people for at least six months a year, like a school, factory, or office park with its own well. A Transient Non-Community (TNC) system serves a changing population, like a church, campground, restaurant, or highway rest stop with its own well.
Every owner files, whether the owner is a city, a water supply corporation, an investor-owned utility, a manufactured-home park, a school district, or a single private owner. If the system is investor-owned and sells water, you also need a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) from the Public Utility Commission of Texas, which is a separate filing that runs in parallel. TCEQ handles drinking-water safety, while the PUC handles rates and service area, and the two agencies share data on every new investor-owned PWS.
Failing to register before serving water is an unauthorized public water system under 30 TAC §290.39(c) and can result in penalties up to $25,000 per day under Texas Water Code §7.052(c). The common misconception is that “small wells don’t count.” If you cross the 15-connection or 25-person threshold for 60 days, you are a PWS, period.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Open Form 10443 only after you have gathered every supporting document, because TCEQ rejects packets that arrive with blank fields or missing attachments. The TCEQ Public Drinking Water program page lists the full intake checklist, and the RG-211 guide “How to Develop a New Public Water System” walks owners through the same prep work in plain English.
Use this pre-filing checklist before you write a single entry on the form:
- Legal owner name and entity type as it appears with the Texas Secretary of State. A mismatch between Form 10443 and SOS records will hold the PWS ID assignment.
- Federal Tax ID (EIN) or SSN for sole proprietors. TCEQ uses this to link financial assurance and CCN data, and a missing EIN delays invoicing for annual fees.
- Physical and mailing address of the system, including county, latitude, and longitude in decimal degrees. Without coordinates, TCEQ cannot place the system in the Drinking Water Watch database.
- Source water information, including well completion reports, surface water intake permits, or a purchase contract with a wholesaler PWS. Missing source data blocks plan review under 30 TAC §290.41.
- Population served and connection count, broken into residential, commercial, and seasonal. The number drives your monitoring schedule, so guessing high or low changes your sampling cost for years.
- Plans and specifications sealed by a Texas-licensed Professional Engineer for any new construction. Plan review is required under 30 TAC §290.39(j) before any pipe goes in the ground.
- Licensed operator name and license number from the TCEQ Occupational Licensing database. Every CWS needs at least a Class D operator on day one, and the license number must be live, not expired.
- Site map or plat showing wells, storage, treatment, and the distribution boundary. Without a map, the regional inspector cannot schedule the pre-operation site visit.
- Financial assurance documentation for investor-owned utilities, which can be a bond, escrow, or letter of credit under 30 TAC §290.39(o).
- Emergency Preparedness Plan under 30 TAC §290.45 for affected utilities. Missing this attachment is one of the top three rejection reasons for new CWS filings.
Take the time to scan every attachment as a single PDF per item with a clear file name like 10443_Lopez_Well_Completion.pdf. TCEQ’s intake clerks file by name, and a clean naming convention shaves days off the review.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official Form 10443 lives on the TCEQ Drinking Water Forms page, and you should always download a fresh copy because TCEQ revises the form when statutes or rules change. The new-system Notice of Intent uses Form 20698, and a system that already has a PWS ID and only needs to update ownership or contacts uses Form 10443 by itself.
You can also access the form through the STEERS portal, which is TCEQ’s online filing system. STEERS lets you upload Form 10443 and all attachments through the Public Drinking Water (PDW) module, and it returns a confirmation number the moment the upload finishes. Setting up a STEERS account takes about 15 minutes and requires an email address tied to the legal owner.
If you prefer paper, you can pick up a printed copy at any of the 16 TCEQ Regional Offices. The regional office that covers your county is often the fastest channel, because the regional staff will glance at the packet for obvious errors before it ships to Austin headquarters.
The common misconception is that older versions of Form 10443 are still acceptable. They are not. TCEQ flags submissions on retired form versions and returns them for the current revision, which adds two to four weeks. Always check the revision date in the lower-left corner of page one and match it against the current version posted on the TCEQ forms page.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form 10443 Line by Line
Form 10443 has six lettered sections plus a signature block, and Form 20698 adds a Notice of Intent page for new systems. Each H3 below maps to one field or logical grouping on the form, in the exact order printed on the paper. Use black ink, all caps, and no abbreviations unless the box specifically allows them.
Section A, Box 1: Reason for Submittal
This box asks why you are sending the form. Check exactly one box: New PWS, Update Existing PWS, Change of Ownership, Reactivation, or Other. Carlos Reyes, opening a new RV park near Bandera, checks New PWS and writes 03/15/2026 as the intended start date.
The nuance is the Change of Ownership box. If you bought an existing system, you check that box and you must also attach the closing documents and the prior owner’s signed transfer letter under 30 TAC §290.39(n). The common mistake is checking Update Existing PWS for an ownership change, which routes the packet to the wrong reviewer and adds 30 days to processing.
The misconception is that you can check more than one box “to be safe.” You cannot. TCEQ codes the submission by the single box you check, and multiple checks force a clarification letter that pauses the file.
Section A, Box 2: PWS ID Number
The PWS ID is a seven-digit number that starts with a two-digit county code. New systems leave this box blank, because TCEQ assigns the ID after intake review. An existing system writes the number it already has, like TX1234567.
Maria Lopez, updating contacts on her water supply corporation in Hill County, writes TX1090012 in the box. The nuance is that the prefix TX is sometimes preprinted and sometimes not; if it is not, write it yourself. The common mistake is writing only the last five digits, which causes the clerk to misroute the form.
The misconception is that the PWS ID changes when ownership changes. It does not. The ID belongs to the system, not the owner, and survives every sale and reorganization.
Section A, Box 3: System Name
The system name is the public-facing name printed on bills, signs, and Consumer Confidence Reports under 30 TAC §290.271. Use the exact legal name, not a nickname. Carlos writes BANDERA RIVER RV RESORT.
The nuance is that subdivisions often have a developer name and a final HOA name, and the name on Form 10443 must match whichever entity is the legal owner on the day you sign. The common mistake is using the marketing name, which then conflicts with the SOS filing and triggers a name-correction letter.
The misconception is that you can change the name later by phone. You cannot; every name change is a new Form 10443 with the Update Existing PWS box checked.
Section A, Box 4: System Type
Check exactly one of Community, Non-Transient Non-Community, or Transient Non-Community. The choice flows from the federal definitions in 40 CFR 141.2 and controls every monitoring rule that follows.
Janet Patel, who runs a 38-student private school near Tyler, checks Non-Transient Non-Community because the school serves the same 25+ people more than six months a year. The nuance lives at the edges; a campground that hosts seasonal staff who live on-site for seven months is a CWS, not a TNC. The common mistake is calling a small subdivision a TNC because it “feels small,” which gives the system the wrong sampling schedule and risks Tier 2 violations later.
The misconception is that the system type can be changed informally when usage shifts. Type changes require a new Form 10443, a new monitoring plan, and sometimes a new operator class.
Section A, Box 5: Activity Status
This box is Active, Inactive, or Pending. New systems mark Pending until TCEQ approves the Notice of Intent. Existing systems mark Active unless the system is offline.
Marcus Whitfield, mothballing a small CWS at a closed bible camp, marks Inactive and attaches a written deactivation request under 30 TAC §290.39(m). The nuance is that an Inactive system still owes annual fees until TCEQ formally deactivates the PWS ID. The common mistake is stopping operations and assuming the system is gone, which leaves unpaid fees and open monitoring violations on the record.
The misconception is that Inactive is a temporary pause you control. It is not; only TCEQ can toggle activity status after a written request and a regional inspection.
Section B, Boxes 6–10: Owner Information
These boxes capture the legal owner’s name, mailing address, phone, email, and entity type. Use the same legal name registered with the Texas Secretary of State, including punctuation. Aisha Coleman, owner of a small investor-owned utility, writes COLEMAN WATER UTILITIES, LLC, 2200 BURNET RD STE 4, AUSTIN, TX 78756, 512-555-0142, aisha@colemanwater.com, and checks LLC under entity type.
The nuance is the entity type box. Choose from Individual, Partnership, LLC, Corporation, Municipality, Water Supply Corporation, Water District, State, Federal, or Other. The common mistake is writing the operator’s name in the owner field. The owner is the entity that holds title to the wells, treatment, and pipes; the operator is the licensed person who runs the system day to day.
The misconception is that a P.O. Box is acceptable for the owner address. TCEQ requires a physical address for the owner because legal notices and Notices of Violation must be served to a deliverable street.
Section C, Boxes 11–14: System Physical Location
Enter the physical address of the treatment facility or master meter, the county, latitude, and longitude. Use decimal degrees to five places, like 29.85423, -99.07012. Carlos uses Google Maps to pin the wellhead and writes the coordinates exactly.
The nuance is that rural systems often have no street address. In that case, use a 911 address from the county or the legal description from the deed, then add coordinates. The common mistake is writing the owner’s office address here instead of the actual water plant location, which sends the regional inspector to the wrong site.
The misconception is that latitude and longitude are optional. They are required for systems regulated under 30 TAC §290.41(c), and TCEQ rejects packets without them.
Section C, Box 15: Source Water Type
Check every source that applies: Groundwater (GW), Groundwater Under Direct Influence (GUI), Surface Water (SW), Purchased Groundwater, or Purchased Surface Water. Janet’s school well is Groundwater, while the City of Round Rock buys treated water and would check Purchased Surface Water.
The nuance is GUI status. A well within 500 feet of a surface water body may be classified as GUI after a TCEQ susceptibility assessment, and that triggers full surface-water treatment requirements. The common mistake is checking Groundwater on a shallow well that should be GUI, which leads to a later reclassification and forced treatment upgrades.
The misconception is that “purchased” systems do not need to register. They do; any system that resells water to 15 connections or 25 people is its own PWS even if it buys 100% of its supply.
Section C, Box 16: Population and Connections
Enter total population served and total active connections, split into residential, commercial, industrial, and seasonal. Carlos writes Population: 180, Connections: 75 residential + 1 commercial.
The nuance is the 60-day rule. Population counts include anyone served at least 60 days a year. The common mistake is undercounting seasonal residents, which produces a too-low population number and a sampling schedule that later forces violations when actual use is audited.
The misconception is that population must match the latest U.S. Census. It must match your actual served population, which can be larger or smaller than census figures.
Section D, Boxes 17–19: Operator Information
Enter the licensed operator’s full legal name, license number, and license class. Pull the number directly from the TCEQ Licensing search. Maria writes DAVID NGUYEN, WO0023456, CLASS C.
The nuance is operator class matching system size. CWS systems with surface water need at least Class C; large systems need Class A or B. The common mistake is listing an expired license, which TCEQ catches in the database within 24 hours and bounces the form back.
The misconception is that the owner can self-operate without a license. Owners can be operators only if they hold the correct license for the system class.
Section E, Boxes 20–22: Responsible Official and Contacts
The Responsible Official (RO) is the person legally authorized to bind the owner, typically a CEO, mayor, board president, or sole proprietor. Enter the RO’s name, title, phone, and email, plus a separate technical contact and billing contact.
The nuance is that public entities must list an elected or appointed official, not a staff member. Aisha lists herself as RO because she is the LLC’s sole member. The common mistake is naming a consultant as RO, which TCEQ rejects because consultants cannot bind the owner.
The misconception is that one name can serve all three contact roles. It can in small systems, but TCEQ recommends three names so that notices reach someone even when one person is unavailable.
Section F, Box 23: Certification and Signature
The RO signs and dates under penalty of perjury, certifying the information is true and complete. The signature must be wet ink on paper filings or a verified e-signature in STEERS.
The nuance is the date format: MM/DD/YYYY. The common mistake is signing in blue ink on a form that will be photocopied, then later denying authenticity; black ink avoids the dispute. The misconception is that a digital scan of a signature image is acceptable. It is not unless filed through STEERS, which carries its own authentication.
Form 20698 Notice of Intent: New System Page
For a new system, Form 20698 attaches to Form 10443 and adds the planned start-of-operation date, the engineer of record, and the plan-review tracking number from 30 TAC §290.39(j). Carlos writes Planned Start: 06/01/2026, Engineer: Priya Shah, P.E. #98765, Plan Review #: PR-2026-04412.
The nuance is that the start date must be at least 30 days after submission to allow the pre-operation inspection. The common mistake is filing Form 20698 without the engineer’s sealed plans, which forces TCEQ to suspend review until the seal arrives. The misconception is that Form 20698 replaces Form 10443. It does not; the two travel together.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The next three tables show what a complete Form 10443 looks like for the three most common Texas filers. Use them as templates, not as copy-paste answers, because every system has unique facts.
Scenario 1: Carlos Reyes, New Community Water System at an RV Park
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Reason for Submittal | New PWS, intended start 06/01/2026 |
| PWS ID | Blank, to be assigned |
| System Name | BANDERA RIVER RV RESORT |
| System Type | Community Water System |
| Activity Status | Pending |
| Owner | REYES HOSPITALITY LLC, 145 Main St, Bandera, TX 78003 |
| Physical Location | 2100 FM 1077, Bandera, TX, Lat 29.72611, Long -99.07389 |
| Source Water | Groundwater, two wells on-site |
| Population / Connections | Population 180, 76 connections (75 RV + 1 commercial) |
| Operator | Tomas Reyna, WO0034521, Class D |
| Responsible Official | Carlos Reyes, Managing Member, 830-555-0117 |
| Attachments | Plans sealed by Priya Shah P.E., well completion reports, EPP, plat |
Scenario 2: Janet Patel, Non-Transient Non-Community at a Private School
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Reason for Submittal | New PWS |
| PWS ID | Blank, to be assigned |
| System Name | PINEY WOODS ACADEMY WATER SYSTEM |
| System Type | Non-Transient Non-Community |
| Activity Status | Pending |
| Owner | PINEY WOODS ACADEMY INC, 4400 CR 312, Tyler, TX 75701 |
| Physical Location | 4400 CR 312, Tyler, TX, Lat 32.34121, Long -95.30188 |
| Source Water | Groundwater, single well 280 ft deep |
| Population / Connections | Population 38 students + 6 staff, 1 connection (master meter) |
| Operator | Linda Owusu, WO0019877, Class D |
| Responsible Official | Janet Patel, Head of School, 903-555-0166 |
| Attachments | Well log, water analysis, site map, EPP, BWQA sample |
Scenario 3: Aisha Coleman, Change of Ownership for an Existing CWS
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Reason for Submittal | Change of Ownership, effective 04/01/2026 |
| PWS ID | TX2270145 |
| System Name | CEDAR CREEK ESTATES WATER |
| System Type | Community Water System |
| Activity Status | Active |
| Owner | COLEMAN WATER UTILITIES LLC, 2200 Burnet Rd Ste 4, Austin, TX 78756 |
| Physical Location | 115 Cedar Creek Dr, Kyle, TX, Lat 29.99211, Long -97.87741 |
| Source Water | Purchased Surface Water from City of Kyle |
| Population / Connections | Population 612, 245 residential connections |
| Operator | David Nguyen, WO0023456, Class C |
| Responsible Official | Aisha Coleman, Managing Member, 512-555-0142 |
| Attachments | Bill of sale, prior owner transfer letter, financial assurance bond, CCN amendment |
How to File the Completed Form 10443
You can file four ways, and each channel has its own quirks. Pick the one that matches your tech comfort and your timeline.
Online via STEERS. Log into the STEERS portal and open the Public Drinking Water (PDW) module. Upload Form 10443, Form 20698 if applicable, and every attachment as PDFs under 25 MB each. There is no filing fee for the registration itself, though annual regulatory assessment fees under 30 TAC §290.51 start the quarter after activation. Processing runs 4–8 weeks, and STEERS emails a confirmation number that doubles as proof of filing.
By email. Send the signed PDF to PDWsubmit@tceq.texas.gov with the subject line Form 10443 – [System Name] – [Reason]. Attachments must total under 35 MB; split larger packets into numbered emails. Processing is 4–8 weeks, and TCEQ replies with an intake confirmation within 5 business days that you should save as proof.
By mail. Mail the original signed form and all attachments to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Public Drinking Water Section, MC-155, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, TX 78711-3087. Use certified mail with return receipt, because the signed green card is your only proof of filing if STEERS or email is unavailable. Processing is 6–10 weeks because of mail intake time.
In person. Drop the packet at any TCEQ Regional Office during business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Ask the front desk for a date-stamped copy of page one as your proof. Regional intake is the fastest channel for systems that need a quick review before construction begins.
No payment is due at filing. Annual fees are invoiced separately based on connection count under 30 TAC §290.51, and accepted methods are ACH, check, and credit card through the TCEQ ePay system.
What Happens After You File
Within 5 business days, TCEQ’s Public Drinking Water intake team logs the packet and emails the RO an intake confirmation. If anything is missing, you get a Notice of Deficiency that lists the gaps and gives you 30 days to cure under 30 TAC §290.39(d).
A regional investigator schedules a pre-operation site visit for new systems, usually 2–4 weeks after intake. The investigator checks the wellhead, treatment, storage, distribution, and your operator’s credentials. If everything matches the plans, TCEQ issues the official PWS ID number and posts the system in Drinking Water Watch, which is the public-facing database for every Texas PWS.
After activation, you start the monitoring schedule under 30 TAC §290.106 through §290.122, which covers bacteriological, chemical, and radiological samples. Your first Consumer Confidence Report is due July 1 of the year after activation for CWS systems, and your first sanitary survey arrives within three years.
The misconception is that registration ends your paperwork. It begins it; every CWS files monthly bacteriological samples, quarterly disinfectant residuals, and annual fee reports for the life of the system.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each of these errors costs weeks and sometimes thousands of dollars in fees and resampling. Read this list before you sign.
- Checking Update Existing PWS for an ownership change routes the file to the wrong reviewer and adds 30 days.
- Leaving latitude and longitude blank stops plan review under 30 TAC §290.41.
- Mixing the marketing name with the legal owner name causes a name-correction letter and a new signature cycle.
- Listing an expired operator license number triggers an auto-rejection from the licensing database within 24 hours.
- Underestimating population to dodge sampling produces Tier 2 violations once actual use is audited.
- Picking the wrong system type, like calling a CWS a TNC, produces the wrong monitoring schedule and resampling costs.
- Writing a P.O. Box for the owner address blocks legal-notice service and pauses the file.
- Submitting an old form revision date forces resubmission on the current revision.
- Naming a consultant as Responsible Official forces TCEQ to reject the certification page.
- Filing without a sealed engineer’s plan set on Form 20698 suspends plan review until the seal arrives.
- Skipping the Emergency Preparedness Plan attachment for affected utilities under 30 TAC §290.45 creates an automatic deficiency.
- Forgetting to keep proof of filing leaves you with no defense if TCEQ logs the packet late.
Do’s and Don’ts
These short rules keep your packet on track.
- Do download a fresh copy of Form 10443 every time, because TCEQ updates the form whenever rules change.
- Do match every name to the Texas Secretary of State record, because a mismatch always triggers a hold.
- Do verify your operator’s license at the TCEQ Licensing search the day you sign, because licenses expire on rolling dates.
- Do file through STEERS when possible, because the confirmation number is instant proof of filing.
- Do keep certified-mail green cards and STEERS confirmations for at least 10 years, because TCEQ audits go back that far.
- Do call your regional office before filing if any field is unclear, because regional staff will tell you the answer for free.
- Don’t use white-out on the form, because TCEQ rejects altered documents.
- Don’t sign before every attachment is assembled, because a missing attachment voids the certification.
- Don’t estimate latitude and longitude from a road map, because TCEQ requires GPS-grade decimal degrees to five places.
- Don’t assume a small well with 14 connections is exempt, because adding one more connection without registering is a Texas Water Code violation.
- Don’t skip the CCN filing with the PUC for investor-owned utilities, because TCEQ shares data and the gap will surface.
- Don’t ignore Notices of Deficiency, because the 30-day cure window under 30 TAC §290.39(d) is strict.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Many small system owners file Form 10443 themselves, and many hire an environmental consultant or licensed operator. Both paths work; the right choice depends on system size and your time.
Pros of filing on your own. – You save $1,500–$5,000 in consultant fees that small CWS owners typically pay for a turnkey filing. – You build firsthand familiarity with TCEQ rules that pays back during every future inspection. – You control timing and never wait for a consultant’s calendar to open. – You keep direct relationships with regional staff, who will help pro se filers patiently. – You catch errors faster because you know the underlying facts of your system better than anyone.
Cons of filing on your own. – You can miss subtle attachment requirements that a consultant would catch in minutes. – You must learn the 30 TAC Chapter 290 rules well enough to spot edge cases like GUI classification. – You shoulder all liability for certification under penalty of perjury. – You may underbid your own population count and lock in monitoring costs that grow as the system grows. – You give up the consultant’s standing relationships with TCEQ reviewers, which can speed reviews on close calls.
FAQs
Is the TCEQ Public Water System registration required for every well in Texas?
No. Only wells that serve at least 15 connections or 25 people for 60 days a year qualify as a PWS under 30 TAC §290.38.
Can I file Form 10443 online?
Yes. Upload the signed PDF and all attachments through the STEERS Public Drinking Water module to receive an instant confirmation number that serves as proof of filing.
Do I write my legal entity name or my DBA in the System Name box?
No to the DBA. Use the legal owner name registered with the Texas Secretary of State, then list any DBA in the contact section if a separate field is provided.
Can I leave the PWS ID number blank in Box 2?
Yes. New systems leave Box 2 blank because TCEQ assigns the seven-digit PWS ID after intake review and the pre-operation site inspection.
Is latitude and longitude really required in Section C?
Yes. GPS coordinates in decimal degrees to five places are mandatory under 30 TAC §290.41(c), and TCEQ rejects packets without them.
Do I need a licensed operator on day one?
Yes. Every CWS and NTNC must list a current Texas-licensed operator on Form 10443 from the day of activation, with the class matching system size.
Can my consultant sign as Responsible Official?
No. Only a person who can legally bind the owner, like an officer, member, mayor, or sole proprietor, may sign Section F.
Is there a filing fee for Form 10443?
No. TCEQ charges no fee at filing, but annual regulatory assessment fees under 30 TAC §290.51 start the quarter after activation.
Can I use a P.O. Box for the owner mailing address in Box 7?
No. TCEQ requires a deliverable street address for legal notices and Notices of Violation, although a P.O. Box may be added as a secondary mailing address.
Do I check more than one box for Reason for Submittal?
No. Check exactly one box; multiple checks force a clarification letter that pauses the file until the RO sends a written correction.
Is an ownership change just a phone call to TCEQ?
No. Every ownership change requires a new Form 10443 with the Change of Ownership box checked, plus closing documents and the prior owner’s transfer letter.
Do investor-owned utilities need anything beyond Form 10443?
Yes. Investor-owned PWSs also need a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity from the Public Utility Commission of Texas and financial assurance under 30 TAC §290.39(o).
How long does it take to get a PWS ID after I file?
Yes, expect 4–10 weeks. STEERS and regional drop-offs run 4–8 weeks, while certified mail to MC-155 typically runs 6–10 weeks because of intake time.
Can I change my system type later if usage shifts?
Yes, but it requires a new Form 10443, an updated monitoring plan, and sometimes a different operator class to match the new system category.
Is the Emergency Preparedness Plan required for every CWS?
Yes for affected utilities under 30 TAC §290.45, and missing this attachment is one of the top three rejection reasons for new CWS filings.
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