Gila County, Arizona — public water systems

How does Gila County compare with other Arizona counties?

Gila County has the 7th-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 62,067 people served in total, the 10th-largest county figure in the state and 0.8% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 615 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 Gila County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Gila County's active systems draw on groundwater (90, 89%), surface water (6, 5.9%), purchased groundwater (4, 4%) and groundwater under influence of surface water (1, 1%). Overall, 94% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 5.9% 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, Town of Payson, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Gila County?

Gila County's active systems break down as 43 community systems (43%), 10 non-transient non-community systems (9.9%) and 48 transient non-community systems (48%). 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 (50%), public/private partnership (33%), federal government (8.9%) and local government (5.9%).