Owyhee County, Idaho — public water systems

How does Owyhee County compare with other Idaho counties?

Owyhee County has the 29th-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 7,130 people served in total, the 30th-largest county figure in the state and 0.4% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 297 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 Owyhee County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Owyhee County's active systems draw on groundwater (23, 96%) and groundwater under influence of surface water (1, 4.2%). 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 Homedale, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Owyhee County?

Owyhee County's active systems break down as 7 community systems (29%), 5 non-transient non-community systems (21%) and 12 transient non-community systems (50%). 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 (67%), local government (21%), federal government (4.2%) and state government (4.2%).