Mercer County, New Jersey — public water systems

How does Mercer County compare with other New Jersey counties?

Mercer County has the 15th-most active public water systems among the 62 counties listed for active New Jersey systems in EPA records; among the 27 with 3 or more systems, the median has 101. Its systems report 323,956 people served in total, the 14th-largest county figure in the state and 3.4% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 3,340 people, about 21% above the New Jersey average of 2,750. 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 Mercer County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Mercer County's active systems draw on groundwater (92, 95%), purchased surface water (3, 3.1%), groundwater under influence of surface water (1, 1%) and surface water (1, 1%). Overall, 96% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 4.1% on surface water, compared with 96% and 4.5% across New Jersey. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Trenton Water Works, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Mercer County?

Mercer County's active systems break down as 11 community systems (11%), 26 non-transient non-community systems (27%) and 60 transient non-community systems (62%). 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 (76%), local government (18%) and state government (6.2%).