Essex County, Vermont — public water systems

How does Essex County compare with other Vermont counties?

Essex County has the 14th-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 5,070 people served in total, the 14th-largest county figure in the state and 0.8% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 282 people, about 41% below 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 Essex County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Essex County's active systems draw on groundwater (16, 89%), surface water (1, 5.6%) and purchased groundwater (1, 5.6%). Overall, 94% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 5.6% 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, Brighton Water System, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Essex County?

Essex County's active systems break down as 9 community systems (50%), 1 non-transient non-community systems (5.6%) and 8 transient non-community systems (44%). 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 local government (56%), private (33%), state government (5.6%) and federal government (5.6%).