Ontonagon County, Michigan — public water systems

How does Ontonagon County compare with other Michigan counties?

Ontonagon County has the 81st-most active public water systems among the 131 counties listed for active Michigan systems in EPA records; among the 88 with 3 or more systems, the median has 92. Its systems report 5,270 people served in total, the 82nd-largest county figure in the state and less than 0.1% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 211 people, well below the Michigan average of 847. 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 Ontonagon County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Ontonagon County's active systems draw on groundwater (24, 96%) and surface water (1, 4%). Overall, 96% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 4% on surface water, compared with 97% and 3.1% across Michigan. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Ontonagon, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Ontonagon County?

Ontonagon County's active systems break down as 5 community systems (20%) and 20 transient non-community systems (80%). 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 private (68%), local government (20%) and state government (12%).