Orange County, North Carolina — public water systems

How does Orange County compare with other North Carolina counties?

Orange County has the 25th-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 118,767 people served in total, the 24th-largest county figure in the state and 1.2% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,773 people, about 10% 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 Orange County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Orange County's active systems draw on groundwater (64, 96%) and surface water (3, 4.5%). Overall, 96% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 4.5% 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, Orange Water & Sewer Authority, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Orange County?

Orange County's active systems break down as 29 community systems (43%), 5 non-transient non-community systems (7.5%) and 33 transient non-community systems (49%). 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 (91%) and local government (9%).