Iron County, Missouri — public water systems

How does Iron County compare with other Missouri counties?

Iron County has the 37th-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 6,544 people served in total, the 94th-largest county figure in the state and 0.1% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 285 people, well below 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 Iron County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Iron County's active systems draw on groundwater (21, 91%), surface water (1, 4.3%) and purchased groundwater (1, 4.3%). Overall, 96% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 4.3% 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 Ironton, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Iron County?

Iron County's active systems break down as 10 community systems (43%), 4 non-transient non-community systems (17%) and 9 transient non-community systems (39%). 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 (65%), local government (26%), state government (4.3%) and federal government (4.3%).