Lee County, Mississippi — public water systems

How does Lee County compare with other Mississippi counties?

Lee County has the 7th-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 86,733 people served in total, the 8th-largest county figure in the state and 2.7% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 3,614 people, about 28% 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 Lee County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Lee County's active systems draw on groundwater (20, 83%) and purchased surface water (4, 17%). Overall, 83% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 17% 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 Tupelo, draws primarily on purchased surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Lee County?

Lee County's active systems break down as 23 community systems (96%) and 1 transient non-community systems (4.2%). 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 public/private partnership (63%), local government (29%), state government (4.2%) and private (4.2%).