Kay County, Oklahoma — public water systems

How does Kay County compare with other Oklahoma counties?

Kay County has the 27th-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 45,560 people served in total, the 17th-largest county figure in the state and 1.3% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 3,254 people, about 12% above 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 Kay County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Kay County's active systems draw on groundwater (6, 43%), purchased surface water (5, 36%), surface water (2, 14%) and purchased groundwater (1, 7.1%). Overall, 50% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 50% on surface water, compared with 62% and 38% across Oklahoma. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Ponca City Mun Water, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Kay County?

Kay County's active systems break down as 12 community systems (86%) and 2 transient non-community systems (14%). 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 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 local government (79%) and private (21%).