Fresno County, California — public water systems

How does Fresno County compare with other California counties?

Fresno County has the 2nd-most active public water systems among the 201 counties listed for active California systems in EPA records; among the 72 with 3 or more systems, the median has 73. Its systems report 1,051,276 people served in total, the 9th-largest county figure in the state and 2.5% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 3,205 people, about 44% below the California average of 5,706. 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 Fresno County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Fresno County's active systems draw on groundwater (289, 88%), surface water (35, 11%), purchased groundwater (2, 0.6%) and purchased surface water (1, 0.3%). Overall, 89% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 11% on surface water, compared with 85% and 15% across California. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, City of Fresno, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Fresno County?

Fresno County's active systems break down as 101 community systems (31%), 80 non-transient non-community systems (24%) and 147 transient non-community systems (45%). 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%), local government (27%), federal government (4.3%) and state government (0.9%).