Roberts County, South Dakota — public water systems

How does Roberts County compare with other South Dakota counties?

Roberts County has the 9th-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 6,217 people served in total, the 29th-largest county figure in the state and 0.6% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 565 people, about 59% 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 Roberts County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Roberts County's active systems draw on groundwater (7, 64%) and purchased groundwater (4, 36%). Overall, all rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and none 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, Sisseton, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Roberts County?

Roberts County's active systems break down as 8 community systems (73%) and 3 transient non-community systems (27%). 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 (64%), private (18%) and state government (18%).