Mayes County, Oklahoma — public water systems

How does Mayes County compare with other Oklahoma counties?

Mayes County has the 12th-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 44,401 people served in total, the 19th-largest county figure in the state and 1.2% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,931 people, about 34% 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 Mayes County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Mayes County's active systems draw on purchased surface water (12, 52%), surface water (7, 30%) and groundwater (4, 17%). Overall, 17% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 83% on surface water, compared with 62% and 38% across Oklahoma. Purchased surface water means the system buys surface water from another public water system rather than drawing its own. The county's largest system, Pryor, draws primarily on purchased surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Mayes County?

Mayes County's active systems break down as 19 community systems (83%), 1 non-transient non-community systems (4.3%) and 3 transient non-community systems (13%). 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 local government (70%), private (26%) and state government (4.3%).