Prairie County, Montana — public water systems

How does Prairie County compare with other Montana counties?

Prairie County has the 45th-most active public water systems among the 76 counties listed for active Montana systems in EPA records; among the 55 with 3 or more systems, the median has 16. Its systems report 501 people served in total, the 58th-largest county figure in the state and less than 0.1% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 72 people, well below the Montana average of 489. 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 Prairie County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Prairie County's active systems draw on groundwater (7, 100%). Overall, all rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and none on surface water, compared with 89% and 11% across Montana. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Terry High School District No 5, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Prairie County?

Prairie County's active systems break down as 3 non-transient non-community systems (43%) and 4 transient non-community systems (57%). 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 (71%) and local government (29%).