Franklin County, Illinois — public water systems

How does Franklin County compare with other Illinois counties?

Franklin County has the 44th-most active public water systems among the 149 counties listed for active Illinois systems in EPA records; among the 104 with 3 or more systems, the median has 18. Its systems report 42,771 people served in total, the 31st-largest county figure in the state and 0.3% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,860 people, about 42% below the Illinois average of 3,204. 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 Franklin County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Franklin County's active systems draw on purchased surface water (21, 91%), surface water (1, 4.3%) and groundwater (1, 4.3%). Overall, 4.3% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 96% on surface water, compared with 82% and 18% across Illinois. Purchased surface water means the system buys surface water from another public water system rather than drawing its own. The county's largest system, West Frankfort, draws primarily on purchased surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Franklin County?

Franklin County's active systems break down as 22 community systems (96%) and 1 transient non-community systems (4.3%). 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 local government (91%) and private (8.7%).