Cottonwood County, Minnesota — public water systems

How does Cottonwood County compare with other Minnesota counties?

Cottonwood County has the 84th-most active public water systems among the 94 counties listed for active Minnesota systems in EPA records; among the 87 with 3 or more systems, the median has 49. Its systems report 14,164 people served in total, the 54th-largest county figure in the state and 0.3% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,288 people, about 57% above the Minnesota average of 820. 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 Cottonwood County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Cottonwood County's active systems draw on groundwater (7, 64%) and purchased groundwater (4, 36%). Overall, all rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and none on surface water, compared with 98% and 1.5% across Minnesota. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Red Rock Rural Water System, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Cottonwood County?

Cottonwood County's active systems break down as 9 community systems (82%) and 2 transient non-community systems (18%). 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 (73%) and private (27%).