Horry County, South Carolina — public water systems

How does Horry County compare with other South Carolina counties?

Horry County has the 9th-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 424,485 people served in total, the 3rd-largest county figure in the state and 8.7% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 8,163 people, about 133% above 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 Horry County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Horry County's active systems draw on purchased surface water (41, 79%), groundwater (7, 13%), surface water (2, 3.8%) and purchased groundwater (2, 3.8%). Overall, 17% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 83% on surface water, compared with 70% and 30% across South Carolina. Purchased surface water means the system buys surface water from another public water system rather than drawing its own. The county's largest system, Gsw&Sa (Sc2620004), draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Horry County?

Horry County's active systems break down as 10 community systems (19%), 1 non-transient non-community systems (1.9%) and 41 transient non-community systems (79%). 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 (87%) and local government (13%).