Orleans County, New York — public water systems

How does Orleans County compare with other New York counties?

Orleans County has the 56th-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 564,323 people served in total, the 7th-largest county figure in the state and 2.9% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 24,536 people, about 10 times 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 Orleans County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Orleans County's active systems draw on purchased surface water (18, 78%), surface water (3, 13%) and groundwater (2, 8.7%). Overall, 8.7% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 91% on surface water, compared with 91% and 8.5% across New York. Purchased surface water means the system buys surface water from another public water system rather than drawing its own. The county's largest system, Mcwa, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Orleans County?

Orleans County's active systems break down as 22 community systems (96%) and 1 transient non-community systems (4.3%). 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 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 (83%), private (13%) and public/private partnership (4.3%).