Cochise County, Arizona — public water systems

How does Cochise County compare with other Arizona counties?

Cochise County has the 6th-most active public water systems among the 56 counties listed for active Arizona systems in EPA records; among the 19 with 3 or more systems, the median has 63. Its systems report 130,277 people served in total, the 8th-largest county figure in the state and 1.7% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,253 people, well below the Arizona average of 4,369. 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 Cochise County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Cochise County's active systems draw on groundwater (103, 99%) and surface water (1, 1%). Overall, 99% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 1% on surface water, compared with 95% and 4.7% across Arizona. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Bella Vista City Water System, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Cochise County?

Cochise County's active systems break down as 53 community systems (51%), 19 non-transient non-community systems (18%) and 32 transient non-community systems (31%). 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 (44%), public/private partnership (27%), local government (17%) and federal government (7.7%).