St. Charles County, Missouri — public water systems

How does St. Charles County compare with other Missouri counties?

St. Charles County has the 10th-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 316,837 people served in total, the 4th-largest county figure in the state and 5.3% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 5,867 people, about 186% above 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 St. Charles County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, St. Charles County's active systems draw on groundwater (49, 91%) and purchased surface water (5, 9.3%). Overall, 91% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 9.3% 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, St Charles County Pwsd 2, draws primarily on purchased surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in St. Charles County?

St. Charles County's active systems break down as 18 community systems (33%), 7 non-transient non-community systems (13%) and 29 transient non-community systems (54%). 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 (61%), local government (37%) and federal government (1.9%).