Shelby County, Texas — public water systems

How does Shelby County compare with other Texas counties?

Shelby County has the 80th-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 27,630 people served in total, the 97th-largest county figure in the state and less than 0.1% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,316 people, well below 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 Shelby County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Shelby County's active systems draw on groundwater (17, 81%), surface water (2, 9.5%) and purchased surface water (2, 9.5%). Overall, 81% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 19% 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 Center, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Shelby County?

Shelby County's active systems break down as 20 community systems (95%) and 1 transient non-community systems (4.8%). 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 (86%) and private (14%).