Buena Vista County, Iowa — public water systems

How does Buena Vista County compare with other Iowa counties?

Buena Vista County has the 57th-most active public water systems among the 114 counties listed for active Iowa systems in EPA records; among the 96 with 3 or more systems, the median has 14. Its systems report 17,699 people served in total, the 34th-largest county figure in the state and 0.6% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,475 people, about 14% below the Iowa average of 1,718. 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 Buena Vista County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Buena Vista County's active systems draw on groundwater (7, 58%) and purchased groundwater (5, 42%). Overall, all rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and none on surface water, compared with 92% and 7.8% across Iowa. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Buena Vista County?

Buena Vista County's active systems break down as 11 community systems (92%) and 1 non-transient non-community systems (8.3%). 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. EPA lists their owner types as local government (83%) and private (17%).