Benton County, Arkansas — public water systems

How does Benton County compare with other Arkansas counties?

Benton County has the 3rd-most active public water systems among the 83 counties listed for active Arkansas systems in EPA records; among the 72 with 3 or more systems, the median has 10. Its systems report 277,037 people served in total, the 3rd-largest county figure in the state and 9% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 7,915 people, about 120% above the Arkansas average of 3,592. 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 Benton County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Benton County's active systems draw on purchased surface water (21, 60%), groundwater (10, 29%), surface water (3, 8.6%) and groundwater under influence of surface water (1, 2.9%). Overall, 31% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 69% on surface water, compared with 63% and 37% across Arkansas. Purchased surface water means the system buys surface water from another public water system rather than drawing its own. The county's largest system, Rogers Water Utilities, draws primarily on purchased surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Benton County?

Benton County's active systems break down as 24 community systems (69%), 2 non-transient non-community systems (5.7%) and 9 transient non-community systems (26%). 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 local government (69%), private (23%) and federal government (8.6%).