Ontario County, New York — public water systems

How does Ontario County compare with other New York counties?

Ontario County has the 48th-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 93,056 people served in total, the 28th-largest county figure in the state and 0.5% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,756 people, about 26% below 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 Ontario County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Ontario County's active systems draw on groundwater (22, 42%), purchased surface water (19, 36%), groundwater under influence of surface water (6, 11%) and surface water (5, 9.4%). Overall, 55% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 45% 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, Geneva City, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Ontario County?

Ontario County's active systems break down as 35 community systems (66%), 2 non-transient non-community systems (3.8%) and 16 transient non-community systems (30%). 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 (51%) and private (49%).