Hamilton County, Indiana — public water systems

How does Hamilton County compare with other Indiana counties?

Hamilton County has the 16th-most active public water systems among the 109 counties listed for active Indiana systems in EPA records; among the 92 with 3 or more systems, the median has 26. Its systems report 229,348 people served in total, the 4th-largest county figure in the state and 4% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 3,475 people, about 139% above the Indiana average of 1,456. 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 Hamilton County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Hamilton County's active systems draw on groundwater (63, 95%), groundwater under influence of surface water (1, 1.5%), purchased surface water (1, 1.5%) and purchased groundwater (1, 1.5%). Overall, 98% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 1.5% on surface water, compared with 97% and 2.8% across Indiana. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Carmel Water Department, draws primarily on groundwater under influence of surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Hamilton County?

Hamilton County's active systems break down as 16 community systems (24%), 14 non-transient non-community systems (21%) and 36 transient non-community systems (55%). 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 (85%) and local government (15%).