Bear Lake County, Idaho — public water systems

How does Bear Lake County compare with other Idaho counties?

Bear Lake County has the 30th-most active public water systems among the 64 counties listed for active Idaho systems in EPA records; among the 47 with 3 or more systems, the median has 27. Its systems report 6,878 people served in total, the 34th-largest county figure in the state and 0.4% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 287 people, well below the Idaho average of 899. 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 Bear Lake County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Bear Lake County's active systems draw on groundwater (24, 100%). Overall, all rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and none on surface water, compared with 96% and 4.1% across Idaho. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, City of Montpelier, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Bear Lake County?

Bear Lake County's active systems break down as 9 community systems (38%) and 15 transient non-community systems (63%). 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 (46%), local government (25%), federal government (25%) and state government (4.2%).