What does a sanitary survey evaluate?

A sanitary survey specifically evaluates the protection of drinking water sources to ensure safe and reliable access to potable water. This comprehensive assessment includes an examination of the potential contamination risks from various sources, compliance with regulations, and necessary best practices to safeguard the water supply. The goal is to identify vulnerabilities in the water source, such as proximity to pollution sources or inadequate protection measures, and to enforce strategies that enhance overall water safety.

The other options, while important elements of water system evaluation, do not encapsulate the primary focus of a sanitary survey. Water quality testing procedures, for instance, are essential for monitoring specific contaminants and ensuring compliance but pertain more closely to actual testing rather than protective measures. Similarly, while water treatment methods are critical for ensuring water safety after contamination has occurred, they fall under operational procedures rather than the initial assessment of source protection. Lastly, infrastructure efficiency, although integral to the overall performance of a water distribution system, does not directly relate to the protective aspects of drinking water sources evaluated in a sanitary survey. Therefore, the primary aim of a sanitary survey is indeed the protection of drinking water sources.