Cherokee County, Oklahoma — public water systems

How does Cherokee County compare with other Oklahoma counties?

Cherokee County has the 3rd-most active public water systems among the 92 counties listed for active Oklahoma systems in EPA records; among the 78 with 3 or more systems, the median has 11. Its systems report 34,993 people served in total, the 23rd-largest county figure in the state and 1% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 972 people, about 67% below the Oklahoma average of 2,907. 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 Cherokee County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Cherokee County's active systems draw on surface water (15, 42%), groundwater (12, 33%) and purchased surface water (9, 25%). Overall, 33% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 67% on surface water, compared with 62% and 38% across Oklahoma. Surface water means the system draws its water from rivers, lakes, streams or reservoirs. The county's largest system, Tahlequah Pwa, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Cherokee County?

Cherokee County's active systems break down as 23 community systems (64%), 3 non-transient non-community systems (8.3%) and 10 transient non-community systems (28%). 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 (58%), local government (39%) and state government (2.8%).