Winnebago County, Illinois — public water systems

How does Winnebago County compare with other Illinois counties?

Winnebago County has the 5th-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 252,201 people served in total, the 9th-largest county figure in the state and 2% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,841 people, about 43% 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 Winnebago County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Winnebago County's active systems draw on groundwater (127, 93%), purchased groundwater (9, 6.6%) and purchased surface water (1, 0.7%). Overall, 99% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 0.7% 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, Rockford, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Winnebago County?

Winnebago County's active systems break down as 27 community systems (20%), 21 non-transient non-community systems (15%) and 89 transient non-community systems (65%). 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 (74%), local government (14%), state government (6.6%) and public/private partnership (5.1%).