Burke County, North Carolina — public water systems

How does Burke County compare with other North Carolina counties?

Burke County has the 37th-most active public water systems among the 137 counties listed for active North Carolina systems in EPA records; among the 102 with 3 or more systems, the median has 29. Its systems report 76,341 people served in total, the 31st-largest county figure in the state and 0.8% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,440 people, about 27% below the North Carolina average of 1,971. 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 Burke County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Burke County's active systems draw on groundwater (41, 77%), purchased surface water (10, 19%) and surface water (2, 3.8%). Overall, 77% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 23% on surface water, compared with 91% and 9.1% across North Carolina. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, City of Morganton, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Burke County?

Burke County's active systems break down as 17 community systems (32%) and 36 transient non-community systems (68%). 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 private (64%), local government (17%), state government (15%) and federal government (3.8%).