Chester County, South Carolina — public water systems

How does Chester County compare with other South Carolina counties?

Chester County has the 22nd-most active public water systems among the 58 counties listed for active South Carolina systems in EPA records; among the 46 with 3 or more systems, the median has 18. Its systems report 16,760 people served in total, the 36th-largest county figure in the state and 0.3% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 931 people, well below the South Carolina average of 3,511. 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 Chester County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Chester County's active systems draw on groundwater (16, 89%), surface water (1, 5.6%) and purchased surface water (1, 5.6%). Overall, 89% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 11% on surface water, compared with 70% and 30% across South Carolina. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Chester Metropolitan District (1220002), draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Chester County?

Chester County's active systems break down as 1 community systems (5.6%), 3 non-transient non-community systems (17%) and 14 transient non-community systems (78%). 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 (83%) and state government (17%).