Albany County, New York — public water systems

How does Albany County compare with other New York counties?

Albany County has the 42nd-most active public water systems among the 100 counties listed for active New York systems in EPA records; among the 64 with 3 or more systems, the median has 94. Its systems report 305,572 people served in total, the 10th-largest county figure in the state and 1.6% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 4,429 people, about 87% above the New York average of 2,374. 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 Albany County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Albany County's active systems draw on groundwater (51, 74%), surface water (9, 13%), purchased surface water (8, 12%) and purchased groundwater (1, 1.4%). Overall, 75% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 25% on surface water, compared with 91% and 8.5% across New York. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Albany City, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Albany County?

Albany County's active systems break down as 35 community systems (51%), 3 non-transient non-community systems (4.3%) and 31 transient non-community systems (45%). 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 (58%), local government (38%) and state government (4.3%).