Jefferson County, Nebraska — public water systems

How does Jefferson County compare with other Nebraska counties?

Jefferson County has the 25th-most active public water systems among the 102 counties listed for active Nebraska systems in EPA records; among the 85 with 3 or more systems, the median has 10. Its systems report 7,375 people served in total, the 35th-largest county figure in the state and 0.4% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 461 people, well below the Nebraska average of 1,472. 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 Jefferson County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Jefferson County's active systems draw on groundwater (14, 88%), purchased groundwater under influence (1, 6.3%) and groundwater under influence of surface water (1, 6.3%). Overall, all rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and none on surface water, compared with 97% and 2.6% across Nebraska. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, City of Fairbury, draws primarily on groundwater under influence of surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Jefferson County?

Jefferson County's active systems break down as 10 community systems (63%), 2 non-transient non-community systems (13%) and 4 transient non-community systems (25%). 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 local government (75%), state government (19%) and private (6.3%).