Jones County, Mississippi — public water systems

How does Jones County compare with other Mississippi counties?

Jones County has the 10th-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 70,115 people served in total, the 11th-largest county figure in the state and 2.2% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 3,187 people, about 13% 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 Jones County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Jones County's active systems draw on groundwater (22, 100%). 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, City of Laurel, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Jones County?

Jones County's active systems break down as 20 community systems (91%) and 2 non-transient non-community systems (9.1%). 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. EPA lists their owner types as public/private partnership (77%), local government (18%) and private (4.5%).