Keokuk County, Iowa — public water systems

How does Keokuk County compare with other Iowa counties?

Keokuk County has the 60th-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 23,108 people served in total, the 29th-largest county figure in the state and 0.7% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,926 people, about 12% above 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 Keokuk County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Keokuk County's active systems draw on groundwater (5, 42%), purchased groundwater (4, 33%) and purchased surface water (3, 25%). Overall, 75% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 25% 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, Wapello Rural Water Assoc., draws primarily on purchased surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Keokuk County?

Keokuk 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%).