Ottawa County, Oklahoma — public water systems

How does Ottawa County compare with other Oklahoma counties?

Ottawa County has the 19th-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 24,382 people served in total, the 32nd-largest county figure in the state and 0.7% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,283 people, about 56% 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 Ottawa County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Ottawa County's active systems draw on groundwater (17, 89%), surface water (1, 5.3%) and purchased groundwater (1, 5.3%). Overall, 95% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 5.3% 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, Miami, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Ottawa County?

Ottawa County's active systems break down as 15 community systems (79%), 2 non-transient non-community systems (11%) and 2 transient non-community systems (11%). 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 (79%), private (16%) and Native American (5.3%).