Winneshiek County, Iowa — public water systems

How does Winneshiek County compare with other Iowa counties?

Winneshiek County has the 6th-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 14,733 people served in total, the 42nd-largest county figure in the state and 0.5% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 343 people, well 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 Winneshiek County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Winneshiek County's active systems draw on groundwater (43, 100%). 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, Decorah Water Department, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Winneshiek County?

Winneshiek County's active systems break down as 13 community systems (30%), 3 non-transient non-community systems (7%) and 27 transient non-community systems (63%). 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 (63%), local government (30%), public/private partnership (4.7%) and state government (2.3%).