Dubuque County, Iowa — public water systems

How does Dubuque County compare with other Iowa counties?

Dubuque County has the 4th-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 92,853 people served in total, the 9th-largest county figure in the state and 3% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,255 people, about 27% 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 Dubuque County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Dubuque County's active systems draw on groundwater (71, 96%) and purchased groundwater (3, 4.1%). 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, Dubuque Water Works, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Dubuque County?

Dubuque County's active systems break down as 32 community systems (43%), 4 non-transient non-community systems (5.4%) and 38 transient non-community systems (51%). 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 (66%), local government (30%) and public/private partnership (4.1%).