Garland County, Arkansas — public water systems

How does Garland County compare with other Arkansas counties?

Garland County has the 6th-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 104,040 people served in total, the 7th-largest county figure in the state and 3.4% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 4,954 people, about 38% 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 Garland County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Garland County's active systems draw on groundwater (11, 52%), surface water (7, 33%) and purchased surface water (3, 14%). Overall, 52% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 48% 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, Hot Springs Utilities, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Garland County?

Garland County's active systems break down as 6 community systems (29%), 2 non-transient non-community systems (9.5%) and 13 transient non-community systems (62%). 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 (67%), federal government (19%) and local government (14%).