Ellis County, Kansas — public water systems

How does Ellis County compare with other Kansas counties?

Ellis County has the 23rd-most active public water systems among the 136 counties listed for active Kansas systems in EPA records; among the 101 with 3 or more systems, the median has 9. Its systems report 26,113 people served in total, the 20th-largest county figure in the state and 0.9% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,865 people, about 33% below the Kansas average of 2,800. 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 Ellis County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Ellis County's active systems draw on groundwater (12, 86%) and purchased groundwater (2, 14%). Overall, all rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and none on surface water, compared with 66% and 34% across Kansas. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, City of Hays, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Ellis County?

Ellis County's active systems break down as 13 community systems (93%) and 1 non-transient non-community systems (7.1%). 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 (50%), private (43%) and state government (7.1%).