Union County, Arkansas — public water systems

How does Union County compare with other Arkansas counties?

Union County has the 4th-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 39,541 people served in total, the 21st-largest county figure in the state and 1.3% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,582 people, about 56% below 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 Union County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Union County's active systems draw on groundwater (23, 92%) and purchased groundwater (2, 8%). Overall, all rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and none 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, El Dorado Waterworks, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Union County?

Union County's active systems break down as 24 community systems (96%) and 1 non-transient non-community systems (4%). 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 (52%) and private (48%).