Watonwan County, Minnesota — public water systems

How does Watonwan County compare with other Minnesota counties?

Watonwan County has the 82nd-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 8,336 people served in total, the 68th-largest county figure in the state and 0.2% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 695 people, about 15% below 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 Watonwan County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Watonwan County's active systems draw on purchased groundwater (6, 50%) and groundwater (6, 50%). Overall, all rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and none on surface water, compared with 98% and 1.5% across Minnesota. Purchased groundwater means the system buys groundwater from another public water system rather than drawing its own. The county's largest system, Saint James, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Watonwan County?

Watonwan County's active systems break down as 8 community systems (67%) and 4 transient non-community systems (33%). 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 (75%) and private (25%).