Riley County, Kansas — public water systems

How does Riley County compare with other Kansas counties?

Riley County has the 28th-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 62,651 people served in total, the 7th-largest county figure in the state and 2.1% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 4,819 people, about 72% above 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 Riley County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Riley County's active systems draw on groundwater (7, 54%) and purchased groundwater (6, 46%). 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 Manhattan, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Riley County?

Riley County's active systems break down as 12 community systems (92%) and 1 transient non-community systems (7.7%). 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 (54%), private (38%) and state government (7.7%).