Rapides Parish County, Louisiana — public water systems

How does Rapides Parish County compare with other Louisiana counties?

Rapides Parish County has the 13th-most active public water systems among the 79 counties listed for active Louisiana systems in EPA records; among the 59 with 3 or more systems, the median has 13. Its systems report 165,953 people served in total, the 9th-largest county figure in the state and 3.2% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 6,915 people, about 48% above the Louisiana average of 4,685. 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 Rapides Parish County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Rapides Parish County's active systems draw on groundwater (21, 88%), purchased groundwater (2, 8.3%) and surface water (1, 4.2%). Overall, 96% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 4.2% on surface water, compared with 92% and 7.7% across Louisiana. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, City of Alexandria Water System, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Rapides Parish County?

Rapides Parish County's active systems break down as 22 community systems (92%), 1 non-transient non-community systems (4.2%) and 1 transient non-community systems (4.2%). 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 local government (50%), private (38%), federal government (8.3%) and state government (4.2%).