Williams County, North Dakota — public water systems

How does Williams County compare with other North Dakota counties?

Williams County has the 3rd-most active public water systems among the 61 counties listed for active North Dakota systems in EPA records; among the 49 with 3 or more systems, the median has 6. Its systems report 37,806 people served in total, the 5th-largest county figure in the state and 5% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,990 people, roughly in line with the North Dakota average of 1,864. 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 Williams County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Williams County's active systems draw on purchased surface water (12, 63%), groundwater (6, 32%) and surface water (1, 5.3%). Overall, 32% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 68% on surface water, compared with 74% and 26% across North Dakota. Purchased surface water means the system buys surface water from another public water system rather than drawing its own. The county's largest system, City of Williston, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Williams County?

Williams County's active systems break down as 11 community systems (58%), 1 non-transient non-community systems (5.3%) and 7 transient non-community systems (37%). 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 (53%), local government (42%) and state government (5.3%).