Jackson County, Mississippi — public water systems

How does Jackson County compare with other Mississippi counties?

Jackson County has the 4th-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 141,787 people served in total, the 5th-largest county figure in the state and 4.4% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 4,889 people, about 73% above 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 Jackson County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Jackson County's active systems draw on groundwater (25, 86%), purchased groundwater (2, 6.9%), purchased surface water (1, 3.4%) and surface water (1, 3.4%). Overall, 93% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 6.9% 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, West Jackson Co Utility Dist, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Jackson County?

Jackson County's active systems break down as 11 community systems (38%), 6 non-transient non-community systems (21%) and 12 transient non-community systems (41%). 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 (52%), local government (34%), public/private partnership (10%) and federal government (3.4%).