Ouray County, Colorado — public water systems

How does Ouray County compare with other Colorado counties?

Ouray County has the 49th-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 4,840 people served in total, the 50th-largest county figure in the state and less than 0.1% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 538 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 Ouray County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Ouray County's active systems draw on groundwater (4, 44%), groundwater under influence of surface water (3, 33%) and surface water (2, 22%). Overall, 78% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 22% 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 Ouray, draws primarily on groundwater under influence of surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Ouray County?

Ouray County's active systems break down as 5 community systems (56%) and 4 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 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 (22%) and federal government (11%).