Lincoln County, South Dakota — public water systems

How does Lincoln County compare with other South Dakota counties?

Lincoln County has the 12th-most active public water systems among the 73 counties listed for active South Dakota systems in EPA records; among the 48 with 3 or more systems, the median has 6. Its systems report 35,871 people served in total, the 5th-largest county figure in the state and 3.7% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 3,986 people, about 187% above the South Dakota average of 1,387. 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 Lincoln County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Lincoln County's active systems draw on purchased groundwater (6, 67%) and groundwater (3, 33%). Overall, all rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and none on surface water, compared with 76% and 24% across South Dakota. Purchased groundwater means the system buys groundwater from another public water system rather than drawing its own. The county's largest system, Harrisburg, draws primarily on purchased groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Lincoln County?

Lincoln County's active systems break down as 8 community systems (89%) and 1 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 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 (67%) and private (33%).