Tompkins County, New York — public water systems

How does Tompkins County compare with other New York counties?

Tompkins County has the 28th-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 102,856 people served in total, the 26th-largest county figure in the state and 0.5% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 927 people, about 61% 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 Tompkins County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Tompkins County's active systems draw on groundwater (96, 86%), groundwater under influence of surface water (6, 5.4%), purchased surface water (6, 5.4%) and surface water (3, 2.7%). Overall, 92% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 8.1% 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, Cornell University, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Tompkins County?

Tompkins County's active systems break down as 51 community systems (46%), 11 non-transient non-community systems (9.9%) and 49 transient non-community systems (44%). 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 (81%), local government (12%), public/private partnership (4.5%) and state government (2.7%).