Westchester County, New York — public water systems

How does Westchester County compare with other New York counties?

Westchester County has the 6th-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 1,039,556 people served in total, the 4th-largest county figure in the state and 5.4% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 3,808 people, about 60% 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 Westchester County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Westchester County's active systems draw on groundwater (200, 73%), purchased surface water (36, 13%), groundwater under influence of surface water (28, 10%) and surface water (7, 2.6%). Overall, 84% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 16% 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, Yonkers City, draws primarily on purchased surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Westchester County?

Westchester County's active systems break down as 92 community systems (34%), 61 non-transient non-community systems (22%) and 120 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 (68%), local government (28%), public/private partnership (2.2%) and state government (1.8%).