Garfield County, Colorado — public water systems

How does Garfield County compare with other Colorado counties?

Garfield County has the 5th-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 60,386 people served in total, the 16th-largest county figure in the state and 0.8% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 728 people, well below 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 Garfield County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Garfield County's active systems draw on groundwater (58, 70%), purchased surface water (9, 11%), surface water (8, 9.6%) and groundwater under influence of surface water (6, 7.2%). Overall, 80% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 20% 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, City of Rifle, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Garfield County?

Garfield County's active systems break down as 54 community systems (65%), 2 non-transient non-community systems (2.4%) and 27 transient non-community systems (33%). 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 (77%), local government (12%), state government (8.4%) and federal government (2.4%).