Knox County, Illinois — public water systems

How does Knox County compare with other Illinois counties?

Knox County has the 33rd-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 49,041 people served in total, the 26th-largest county figure in the state and 0.4% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,442 people, about half of 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 Knox County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Knox County's active systems draw on groundwater (28, 82%) and purchased groundwater (6, 18%). Overall, all rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and none on surface water, compared with 82% and 18% across Illinois. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Galesburg, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Knox County?

Knox County's active systems break down as 17 community systems (50%) and 17 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 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 (44%), local government (41%), public/private partnership (12%) and state government (2.9%).