Who runs the water?

Public files name who is responsible. That tells you who to ask.

Owner

usually the municipality

Operator

may be a utility or contractor

Who to ask

service, reports, notices

Owner and operator are who to ask — municipality, utility, or building operator depending on the system type.

Names you may see

Owner — legally responsible. Often the city or town; for a school, often the board.
Day-to-day operator — who runs it (sometimes the same as the owner, sometimes a utility or contractor). If the public file does not list one, our pages say so rather than guess.
Public health unit — local health authority; useful for current advisories.

Which system serves my address, annual report, service questions → your city.
Current advisories or health questions → local public health unit.

We do not invent phone numbers. Use these plain questions when you call or email.