Howard County, Maryland — public water systems

How does Howard County compare with other Maryland counties?

Howard County has the 12th-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 309,341 people served in total, the 4th-largest county figure in the state and 5.3% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 3,556 people, about 83% above 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 Howard County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Howard County's active systems draw on groundwater (84, 97%) and purchased surface water (3, 3.4%). Overall, 97% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 3.4% 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, Howard County D.P.W. Distribution, draws primarily on purchased surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Howard County?

Howard County's active systems break down as 4 community systems (4.6%), 25 non-transient non-community systems (29%) and 58 transient non-community systems (67%). 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 (71%), local government (25%), state government (2.3%) and public/private partnership (1.1%).