Colbert County, Alabama — public water systems

How does Colbert County compare with other Alabama counties?

Colbert County has the 11th-most active public water systems among the 77 counties listed for active Alabama systems in EPA records; among the 68 with 3 or more systems, the median has 7. Its systems report 84,238 people served in total, the 22nd-largest county figure in the state and 1.3% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 6,480 people, about 41% below the Alabama average of 11,028. Population figures are what each system reports; people served by more than one system, such as a wholesaler and the town that buys from it, are counted by each.

Where does Colbert County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Colbert County's active systems draw on surface water (6, 46%), purchased surface water (3, 23%), groundwater (2, 15%) and groundwater under influence of surface water (1, 7.7%). Overall, 31% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 69% on surface water, compared with 60% and 40% across Alabama. Surface water means the system draws its water from rivers, lakes, streams or reservoirs. The county's largest system, Muscle Shoals Utility Board, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Colbert County?

Colbert County's active systems break down as 10 community systems (77%), 2 non-transient non-community systems (15%) and 1 transient non-community systems (7.7%). A community water system serves at least 15 connections used by year-round residents, or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents. Homes, apartments and mobile-home parks are served by these. A non-transient non-community water system regularly serves at least 25 of the same people for more than six months a year, but not where they live. Schools, factories, office buildings and hospitals with their own supply are typical examples. A transient non-community water system serves places where people do not stay long, such as gas stations and campgrounds, and regularly serves at least 25 people a day for at least 60 days a year. EPA lists their owner types as local government (77%), private (15%) and federal government (7.7%).