El Paso County, Colorado — public water systems

How does El Paso County compare with other Colorado counties?

El Paso County has the most active public water systems among the 113 counties listed for active Colorado systems in EPA records; among the 65 with 3 or more systems, the median has 18. Its systems report 756,735 people served in total, the 3rd-largest county figure in the state and 10% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 5,605 people, about 65% above the Colorado average of 3,400. 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 El Paso County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, El Paso County's active systems draw on groundwater (87, 64%), purchased surface water (22, 16%), surface water (11, 8.1%) and purchased groundwater (7, 5.2%). Overall, 76% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 24% on surface water, compared with 74% and 26% across Colorado. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Colorado Springs Utilities, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in El Paso County?

El Paso County's active systems break down as 71 community systems (53%), 18 non-transient non-community systems (13%) and 46 transient non-community systems (34%). 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 (64%), local government (30%) and federal government (5.2%).