La Plata County, Colorado — public water systems

How does La Plata County compare with other Colorado counties?

La Plata County has the 4th-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 62,281 people served in total, the 15th-largest county figure in the state and 0.8% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 577 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 La Plata County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, La Plata County's active systems draw on groundwater (71, 66%), purchased surface water (18, 17%), groundwater under influence of surface water (9, 8.3%) and surface water (8, 7.4%). 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, City of Durango, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in La Plata County?

La Plata County's active systems break down as 54 community systems (50%), 7 non-transient non-community systems (6.5%) and 47 transient non-community systems (44%). 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 (78%), local government (14%), federal government (7.4%) and public/private partnership (0.9%).