Cole County, Missouri — public water systems

How does Cole County compare with other Missouri counties?

Cole County has the 46th-most active public water systems among the 182 counties listed for active Missouri systems in EPA records; among the 132 with 3 or more systems, the median has 13. Its systems report 73,799 people served in total, the 13th-largest county figure in the state and 1.2% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 4,341 people, about twice the Missouri average of 2,049. 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 Cole County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Cole County's active systems draw on groundwater (16, 94%) and surface water (1, 5.9%). Overall, 94% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 5.9% on surface water, compared with 92% and 8.1% across Missouri. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Mo American Jefferson City District, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Cole County?

Cole County's active systems break down as 12 community systems (71%), 2 non-transient non-community systems (12%) and 3 transient non-community systems (18%). 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 (53%) and local government (47%).