How close must the remote operator of a facility be to the facility to legally operate it?

• A. Within 50 miles by car
• B. Within 100 miles by air travel
• C. Within 200 miles by ground travel
• D. Within 500 miles

Answer: (C)

Proximity to the facility matters because an operator needs to be able to respond quickly and physically verify conditions or take on-site actions when alarms or issues arise. In water distribution, timely intervention—such as adjusting valves, checking pumps, or reviewing disinfection controls—is essential for maintaining water quality and service.

The limit is being able to reach the site by ground travel within a practical time frame, specifically 200 miles. This distance provides a realistic window for on-call or remote-operation duties to be performed without dangerous delays, while still allowing for travel contingencies like traffic or weather. Distances much shorter than this could unnecessarily restrict capable operators, while much longer distances could compromise safety and reliability.

Ground travel is specified because it reliably reflects typical access and travel times; air travel can be faster but is less predictable and often not feasible for urgent field actions. Therefore, operating within 200 miles by ground travel best ensures a hands-on capability to manage and safeguard the system.