Bedford County, Virginia — public water systems

How does Bedford County compare with other Virginia counties?

Bedford County has the 10th-most active public water systems among the 138 counties listed for active Virginia systems in EPA records; among the 99 with 3 or more systems, the median has 20. Its systems report 48,255 people served in total, the 14th-largest county figure in the state and 0.6% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,049 people, about 66% below the Virginia average of 3,122. 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 Bedford County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Bedford County's active systems draw on groundwater (42, 91%), surface water (3, 6.5%) and purchased surface water (1, 2.2%). Overall, 91% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 8.7% on surface water, compared with 89% and 11% across Virginia. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Bedford Regional Water Authority (Brwa), draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Bedford County?

Bedford County's active systems break down as 17 community systems (37%), 7 non-transient non-community systems (15%) and 22 transient non-community systems (48%). 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 (20%) and state government (6.5%).