Osage County, Kansas — public water systems

How does Osage County compare with other Kansas counties?

Osage County has the 11th-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 18,239 people served in total, the 30th-largest county figure in the state and 0.6% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,073 people, about 62% 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 Osage County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Osage County's active systems draw on purchased surface water (11, 65%), surface water (4, 24%) and groundwater (2, 12%). Overall, 12% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 88% on surface water, compared with 66% and 34% across Kansas. Purchased surface water means the system buys surface water from another public water system rather than drawing its own. The county's largest system, Osage Co Rwd 5, draws primarily on purchased surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Osage County?

Osage County's active systems break down as 16 community systems (94%) and 1 transient non-community systems (5.9%). 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 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 local government (94%) and state government (5.9%).