Columbia County, Arkansas — public water systems

How does Columbia County compare with other Arkansas counties?

Columbia County has the 15th-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 23,395 people served in total, the 29th-largest county figure in the state and 0.8% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,671 people, about half of 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 Columbia County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Columbia County's active systems draw on groundwater (10, 71%), purchased surface water (3, 21%) and surface water (1, 7.1%). Overall, 71% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 29% on surface water, compared with 63% and 37% across Arkansas. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Magnolia Waterworks, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Columbia County?

Columbia County's active systems break down as 12 community systems (86%) and 2 non-transient non-community systems (14%). 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. EPA lists their owner types as local government (57%) and private (43%).