Monroe County, Tennessee — public water systems

How does Monroe County compare with other Tennessee counties?

Monroe County has the 4th-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 55,258 people served in total, the 32nd-largest county figure in the state and 0.7% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 2,403 people, about 58% 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 Monroe County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Monroe County's active systems draw on groundwater (20, 87%), surface water (2, 8.7%) and purchased surface water (1, 4.3%). Overall, 87% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 13% 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, Madisonville Water Dept, draws primarily on purchased surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Monroe County?

Monroe County's active systems break down as 6 community systems (26%), 1 non-transient non-community systems (4.3%) and 16 transient non-community systems (70%). 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 (65%), local government (22%) and federal government (13%).