Rio Grande County, Colorado — public water systems

How does Rio Grande County compare with other Colorado counties?

Rio Grande County has the 17th-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 13,885 people served in total, the 37th-largest county figure in the state and 0.2% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 289 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 Rio Grande County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Rio Grande County's active systems draw on groundwater (47, 98%) and groundwater under influence of surface water (1, 2.1%). Overall, all rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and none 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 Monte Vista, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Rio Grande County?

Rio Grande County's active systems break down as 8 community systems (17%), 3 non-transient non-community systems (6.3%) and 37 transient non-community systems (77%). 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 (83%), local government (15%) and federal government (2.1%).