Dorchester County, South Carolina — public water systems

How does Dorchester County compare with other South Carolina counties?

Dorchester County has the 7th-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 165,564 people served in total, the 10th-largest county figure in the state and 3.4% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 3,010 people, about 14% 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 Dorchester County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Dorchester County's active systems draw on groundwater (36, 65%), purchased surface water (18, 33%) and purchased groundwater (1, 1.8%). Overall, 67% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 33% 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, Summerville Cpw (Sc1810003), draws primarily on purchased surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Dorchester County?

Dorchester County's active systems break down as 20 community systems (36%), 10 non-transient non-community systems (18%) and 25 transient non-community systems (45%). 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 (67%), local government (27%) and state government (5.5%).