Linn County, Iowa — public water systems

How does Linn County compare with other Iowa counties?

Linn County has the 2nd-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 224,589 people served in total, the 2nd-largest county figure in the state and 7.2% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 2,739 people, about 59% 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 Linn County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Linn County's active systems draw on groundwater (76, 93%), purchased groundwater under influence (3, 3.7%), purchased groundwater (2, 2.4%) and groundwater under influence of surface water (1, 1.2%). 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, Cedar Rapids Water Department, draws primarily on groundwater under influence of surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Linn County?

Linn County's active systems break down as 40 community systems (49%), 5 non-transient non-community systems (6.1%) and 37 transient non-community systems (45%). 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 (67%), local government (28%), state government (3.7%) and public/private partnership (1.2%).