New Haven County, Connecticut — public water systems

How does New Haven County compare with other Connecticut counties?

New Haven County has the 8th-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 723,334 people served in total, the 3rd-largest county figure in the state and 25% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 3,412 people, about 174% above 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 New Haven County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, New Haven County's active systems draw on groundwater (198, 93%), purchased surface water (6, 2.8%), surface water (6, 2.8%) and purchased groundwater (2, 0.9%). Overall, 94% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 5.7% 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, Regional Water Authority, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in New Haven County?

New Haven County's active systems break down as 31 community systems (15%), 55 non-transient non-community systems (26%) and 126 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 (15%), state government (1.9%) and federal government (0.9%).