Sussex County, Delaware — public water systems

How does Sussex County compare with other Delaware counties?

Sussex County has the most active public water systems among the 16 counties listed for active Delaware systems in EPA records; among the 8 with 3 or more systems, the median has 8. Its systems report 382,753 people served in total, the 2nd-largest county figure in the state and 35% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,556 people, about 30% below the Delaware average of 2,238. 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 Sussex County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Sussex County's active systems draw on groundwater (238, 97%) and purchased groundwater (8, 3.3%). Overall, all rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and none on surface water, compared with 98% and 2% across Delaware. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Rehoboth Pump District (Tui), draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Sussex County?

Sussex County's active systems break down as 113 community systems (46%), 43 non-transient non-community systems (17%) and 90 transient non-community systems (37%). 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 (87%), local government (7.7%), state government (4.5%) and federal government (0.4%).