Hancock County, Mississippi — public water systems

How does Hancock County compare with other Mississippi counties?

Hancock County has the 20th-most active public water systems among the 98 counties listed for active Mississippi systems in EPA records; among the 82 with 3 or more systems, the median has 12. Its systems report 49,251 people served in total, the 17th-largest county figure in the state and 1.5% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 3,078 people, roughly in line with the Mississippi average of 2,832. 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 Hancock County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Hancock County's active systems draw on groundwater (13, 81%) and purchased groundwater (3, 19%). Overall, all rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and none on surface water, compared with 99% and 1.2% across Mississippi. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Diamondhead Utilities-North, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Hancock County?

Hancock County's active systems break down as 9 community systems (56%), 2 non-transient non-community systems (13%) and 5 transient non-community systems (31%). 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 (44%), local government (38%), public/private partnership (13%) and federal government (6.3%).