Smyth County, Virginia — public water systems

How does Smyth County compare with other Virginia counties?

Smyth County has the 54th-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 25,421 people served in total, the 24th-largest county figure in the state and 0.3% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,338 people, about 57% 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 Smyth County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Smyth County's active systems draw on groundwater (8, 42%), purchased groundwater under influence (4, 21%), purchased surface water (3, 16%) and surface water (2, 11%). Overall, 74% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 26% 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 Marion, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Smyth County?

Smyth County's active systems break down as 14 community systems (74%) and 5 transient non-community systems (26%). 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 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 (68%), private (16%) and federal government (16%).