Pima County, Arizona — public water systems

How does Pima County compare with other Arizona counties?

Pima County has the 3rd-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 1,137,975 people served in total, the 2nd-largest county figure in the state and 15% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 5,896 people, about 35% above 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 Pima County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Pima County's active systems draw on groundwater (186, 96%) and purchased groundwater (7, 3.6%). Overall, all rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and none 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, City of Tucson, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Pima County?

Pima County's active systems break down as 143 community systems (74%), 22 non-transient non-community systems (11%) and 28 transient non-community systems (15%). 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 (39%), public/private partnership (36%), local government (17%) and federal government (4.7%).