Allegany County, Maryland — public water systems

How does Allegany County compare with other Maryland counties?

Allegany County has the 17th-most active public water systems among the 60 counties listed for active Maryland systems in EPA records; among the 27 with 3 or more systems, the median has 78. Its systems report 68,550 people served in total, the 12th-largest county figure in the state and 1.2% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,293 people, about 34% below the Maryland average of 1,947. 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 Allegany County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Allegany County's active systems draw on groundwater (38, 72%), purchased surface water (8, 15%), surface water (5, 9.4%) and groundwater under influence of surface water (2, 3.8%). Overall, 75% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 25% on surface water, compared with 97% and 2.6% across Maryland. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, City of Cumberland, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Allegany County?

Allegany County's active systems break down as 17 community systems (32%), 3 non-transient non-community systems (5.7%) and 33 transient non-community systems (62%). 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 (51%), local government (36%) and state government (13%).