Jefferson County, Tennessee — public water systems

How does Jefferson County compare with other Tennessee counties?

Jefferson County has the 2nd-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 59,003 people served in total, the 31st-largest county figure in the state and 0.7% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 2,269 people, about 61% 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 Jefferson County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Jefferson County's active systems draw on groundwater (20, 77%), purchased surface water (4, 15%) and surface water (2, 7.7%). Overall, 77% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 23% 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, Shady Grove Utility District, draws primarily on purchased surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Jefferson County?

Jefferson County's active systems break down as 5 community systems (19%), 1 non-transient non-community systems (3.8%) and 20 transient non-community systems (77%). 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 (77%), local government (19%) and state government (3.8%).