Hays County, Texas — public water systems

How does Hays County compare with other Texas counties?

Hays County has the 6th-most active public water systems among the 309 counties listed for active Texas systems in EPA records; among the 234 with 3 or more systems, the median has 12. Its systems report 306,428 people served in total, the 19th-largest county figure in the state and 0.9% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 2,597 people, about half of the Texas average of 4,789. 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 Hays County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Hays County's active systems draw on groundwater (72, 61%), purchased surface water (40, 34%), groundwater under influence of surface water (3, 2.5%) and surface water (1, 0.8%). Overall, 64% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 35% on surface water, compared with 78% and 21% across Texas. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, City of San Marcos, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Hays County?

Hays County's active systems break down as 52 community systems (44%), 12 non-transient non-community systems (10%) and 54 transient non-community systems (46%). 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 (74%), local government (25%) and state government (1.7%).