Mercer County, West Virginia — public water systems

How does Mercer County compare with other West Virginia counties?

Mercer County has the 19th-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 31,715 people served in total, the 17th-largest county figure in the state and 2% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 2,265 people, about 11% above 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 Mercer County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Mercer County's active systems draw on groundwater (8, 57%), surface water (4, 29%) and purchased surface water (2, 14%). Overall, 57% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 43% 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, Wvawc Bluefield District, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Mercer County?

Mercer County's active systems break down as 8 community systems (57%) and 6 transient non-community systems (43%). 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 (50%), private (29%) and state government (21%).