Essex County, Virginia — public water systems

How does Essex County compare with other Virginia counties?

Essex County has the 48th-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 4,274 people served in total, the 75th-largest county figure in the state and less than 0.1% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 204 people, well 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 Essex County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Essex County's active systems draw on groundwater (21, 100%). Overall, all rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and none 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, Town of Tappahannock, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Essex County?

Essex County's active systems break down as 10 community systems (48%), 6 non-transient non-community systems (29%) and 5 transient non-community systems (24%). 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 (95%) and local government (4.8%).