Chatham County, North Carolina — public water systems

How does Chatham County compare with other North Carolina counties?

Chatham County has the 43rd-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 50,273 people served in total, the 46th-largest county figure in the state and 0.5% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,117 people, about 43% 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 Chatham County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Chatham County's active systems draw on groundwater (35, 78%), purchased surface water (7, 16%) and surface water (3, 6.7%). Overall, 78% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 22% 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, Chatham Co-North, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Chatham County?

Chatham County's active systems break down as 20 community systems (44%), 1 non-transient non-community systems (2.2%) and 24 transient non-community systems (53%). 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 (78%), local government (16%) and state government (6.7%).