Hartford County, Connecticut — public water systems

How does Hartford County compare with other Connecticut counties?

Hartford County has the 7th-most active public water systems among the 22 counties listed for active Connecticut systems in EPA records; among the 9 with 3 or more systems, the median has 277. Its systems report 836,032 people served in total, the largest county figure in the state and 28% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 3,818 people, about 3.1 times the Connecticut average of 1,247. 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 Hartford County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Hartford County's active systems draw on groundwater (199, 91%), purchased surface water (13, 5.9%) and surface water (7, 3.2%). Overall, 91% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 9.1% on surface water, compared with 96% and 3.8% across Connecticut. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Metropolitan District Commission, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Hartford County?

Hartford County's active systems break down as 47 community systems (21%), 42 non-transient non-community systems (19%) and 130 transient non-community systems (59%). 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 (82%), local government (14%), state government (2.7%) and federal government (1.8%).