Matanuska-Susitna Borough County, Alaska — public water systems

How does Matanuska-Susitna Borough County compare with other Alaska counties?

Matanuska-Susitna Borough County has the most active public water systems among the 25 counties listed for active Alaska systems in EPA records; among the 24 with 3 or more systems, the median has 23. Its systems report 90,225 people served in total, the 3rd-largest county figure in the state and 10% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 264 people, about 60% below the Alaska average of 653. 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 Matanuska-Susitna Borough County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Matanuska-Susitna Borough County's active systems draw on groundwater (341, 100%) and surface water (1, 0.3%). Overall, 100% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 0.3% on surface water, compared with 84% and 16% across Alaska. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Wasilla Water System, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Matanuska-Susitna Borough County?

Matanuska-Susitna Borough County's active systems break down as 80 community systems (23%), 77 non-transient non-community systems (23%) and 185 transient non-community systems (54%). 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 private (82%), local government (15%), state government (1.2%) and Native American (0.6%).