Scott County, Iowa — public water systems

How does Scott County compare with other Iowa counties?

Scott County has the 3rd-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 178,240 people served in total, the 3rd-largest county figure in the state and 5.7% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 2,285 people, about 33% 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 Scott County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Scott County's active systems draw on groundwater (76, 97%), surface water (1, 1.3%) and purchased surface water (1, 1.3%). Overall, 97% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 2.6% 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, Iowa-American Wtr Co-Davenport, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Scott County?

Scott County's active systems break down as 48 community systems (62%), 5 non-transient non-community systems (6.4%) and 25 transient non-community systems (32%). 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 (73%), local government (26%) and public/private partnership (1.3%).