Southern Nuclear-Vogtle Units 3 & 4

How does Southern Nuclear-Vogtle Units 3 & 4 compare with other water systems in Burke County?

By EPA's size categories, Southern Nuclear-Vogtle Units 3 & 4 is a small system (501 to 3,300 people). Burke County has 4 active public water systems, and Southern Nuclear-Vogtle Units 3 & 4 is the largest of them by population served. Its population served is about 72% above the county average of 494 people per system, and accounts for 43% of the 1,975 people reported by systems filed under the county. Across Alabama, the 576 active systems average 11,028 people each. Nationally, the average active non-transient non-community water system reports serving 430 people, so Southern Nuclear-Vogtle Units 3 & 4 is about twice that figure.

What does “non-transient non-community water system” mean?

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. Alabama has 26 active non-transient non-community water systems, 4.5% of the state's 576 active systems. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. 302 Alabama systems (52%) list groundwater as their primary source.

Who owns and regulates Southern Nuclear-Vogtle Units 3 & 4?

EPA lists Southern Nuclear-Vogtle Units 3 & 4 as privately owned. The GA state drinking water program is its primacy agency, the regulator with primary enforcement responsibility for the system under the Safe Drinking Water Act. 3 of the 4 active systems in Burke County (75%) are also privately owned.