Washington County, Illinois — public water systems

How does Washington County compare with other Illinois counties?

Washington County has the 58th-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 20,507 people served in total, the 57th-largest county figure in the state and 0.2% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,367 people, about 57% 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 Washington County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Washington County's active systems draw on purchased surface water (11, 73%), groundwater (2, 13%), surface water (1, 6.7%) and purchased groundwater (1, 6.7%). Overall, 20% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 80% 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, Washington County Water Company, draws primarily on purchased surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Washington County?

Washington County's active systems break down as 13 community systems (87%) and 2 transient non-community systems (13%). 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 (60%) and private (40%).