Rutland County, Vermont — public water systems

How does Rutland County compare with other Vermont counties?

Rutland County has the 2nd-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 71,236 people served in total, the 2nd-largest county figure in the state and 11% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 409 people, about 14% 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 Rutland County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Rutland County's active systems draw on groundwater (164, 94%), purchased surface water (5, 2.9%), purchased groundwater (3, 1.7%) and surface water (2, 1.1%). Overall, 96% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 4% 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, Rutland City Water Dept, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Rutland County?

Rutland County's active systems break down as 54 community systems (31%), 29 non-transient non-community systems (17%) and 91 transient non-community systems (52%). 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 (76%), local government (19%), state government (4.6%) and federal government (0.6%).