Ripley County, Indiana — public water systems

How does Ripley County compare with other Indiana counties?

Ripley County has the 71st-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 31,173 people served in total, the 39th-largest county figure in the state and 0.5% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 3,117 people, about twice 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 Ripley County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Ripley County's active systems draw on groundwater (4, 40%), purchased groundwater (3, 30%), surface water (2, 20%) and purchased surface water (1, 10%). Overall, 70% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 30% 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, Hoosier Hills Regional Water District, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Ripley County?

Ripley County's active systems break down as 8 community systems (80%) and 2 transient non-community systems (20%). 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 (70%) and private (30%).