Bedford County, Tennessee — public water systems

How does Bedford County compare with other Tennessee counties?

Bedford County has the 19th-most active public water systems among the 323 counties listed for active Tennessee systems in EPA records; among the 152 with 3 or more systems, the median has 6. Its systems report 66,889 people served in total, the 27th-largest county figure in the state and 0.8% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 5,145 people, about 11% below the Tennessee average of 5,780. 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 Bedford County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Bedford County's active systems draw on groundwater (8, 62%), purchased surface water (3, 23%) and surface water (2, 15%). Overall, 62% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 38% on surface water, compared with 80% and 20% across Tennessee. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Shelbyville Water System, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Bedford County?

Bedford County's active systems break down as 5 community systems (38%) and 8 transient non-community systems (62%). 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 private (38%), local government (38%) and public/private partnership (23%).