McDowell County, West Virginia — public water systems

How does McDowell County compare with other West Virginia counties?

McDowell County has the 9th-most active public water systems among the 72 counties listed for active West Virginia systems in EPA records; among the 52 with 3 or more systems, the median has 10. Its systems report 14,906 people served in total, the 33rd-largest county figure in the state and 0.9% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 621 people, well below the West Virginia average of 2,032. 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 McDowell County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, McDowell County's active systems draw on groundwater (18, 75%), purchased groundwater (3, 13%), groundwater under influence of surface water (2, 8.3%) and purchased surface water (1, 4.2%). Overall, 96% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 4.2% on surface water, compared with 65% and 35% across West Virginia. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, City of Welch, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in McDowell County?

McDowell County's active systems break down as 20 community systems (83%) and 4 transient non-community systems (17%). 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 private (54%), local government (38%) and state government (8.3%).