Mercer County, Illinois — public water systems

How does Mercer County compare with other Illinois counties?

Mercer County has the 37th-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 11,499 people served in total, the 80th-largest county figure in the state and less than 0.1% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 426 people, well 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 Mercer County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Mercer County's active systems draw on groundwater (25, 93%) and purchased groundwater (2, 7.4%). 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, Aledo, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Mercer County?

Mercer County's active systems break down as 15 community systems (56%) and 12 transient non-community systems (44%). 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 (63%) and local government (37%).