Laurens County, South Carolina — public water systems

How does Laurens County compare with other South Carolina counties?

Laurens County has the 34th-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 67,975 people served in total, the 21st-largest county figure in the state and 1.4% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 6,180 people, about 76% 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 Laurens County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Laurens County's active systems draw on groundwater (7, 64%), surface water (3, 27%) and purchased surface water (1, 9.1%). Overall, 64% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 36% 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, Laurens County W&S Comm (Sc3020001), draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Laurens County?

Laurens County's active systems break down as 5 community systems (45%), 1 non-transient non-community systems (9.1%) and 5 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 (73%) and local government (27%).