Meade County, South Dakota — public water systems

How does Meade County compare with other South Dakota counties?

Meade County has the 3rd-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 22,953 people served in total, the 10th-largest county figure in the state and 2.4% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 410 people, well below 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 Meade County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Meade County's active systems draw on groundwater (49, 88%), purchased groundwater (5, 8.9%), purchased surface water (1, 1.8%) and surface water (1, 1.8%). Overall, 96% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 3.6% on surface water, compared with 76% and 24% across South Dakota. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Sturgis, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Meade County?

Meade County's active systems break down as 43 community systems (77%), 1 non-transient non-community systems (1.8%) and 12 transient non-community systems (21%). 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 (68%), local government (20%), state government (7.1%) and federal government (5.4%).