Wilkes County, North Carolina — public water systems

How does Wilkes County compare with other North Carolina counties?

Wilkes County has the 18th-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 50,316 people served in total, the 45th-largest county figure in the state and 0.5% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 572 people, well 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 Wilkes County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Wilkes County's active systems draw on groundwater (80, 91%), purchased surface water (6, 6.8%) and surface water (2, 2.3%). Overall, 91% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 9.1% 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, West Wilkes Wtr Association Inc., draws primarily on purchased surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Wilkes County?

Wilkes County's active systems break down as 10 community systems (11%), 4 non-transient non-community systems (4.5%) and 74 transient non-community systems (84%). 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 (73%), federal government (14%), local government (6.8%) and state government (5.7%).