Chittenden County, Vermont — public water systems

How does Chittenden County compare with other Vermont counties?

Chittenden County has the 6th-most active public water systems among the 14 counties listed for active Vermont systems in EPA records; among the 14 with 3 or more systems, the median has 78. Its systems report 150,374 people served in total, the largest county figure in the state and 23% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,566 people, about 3.3 times the Vermont average of 477. 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 Chittenden County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Chittenden County's active systems draw on groundwater (71, 74%), purchased surface water (20, 21%) and surface water (5, 5.2%). Overall, 74% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 26% on surface water, compared with 93% and 7% across Vermont. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Burlington Dept Public Works Water Div, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Chittenden County?

Chittenden County's active systems break down as 48 community systems (50%), 14 non-transient non-community systems (15%) and 34 transient non-community systems (35%). 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 (61%), local government (33%) and state government (5.2%).