La Crosse County, Wisconsin — public water systems

How does La Crosse County compare with other Wisconsin counties?

La Crosse County has the 40th-most active public water systems among the 90 counties listed for active Wisconsin systems in EPA records; among the 74 with 3 or more systems, the median has 140. Its systems report 98,888 people served in total, the 13th-largest county figure in the state and 1.9% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 811 people, about 73% above the Wisconsin average of 469. 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 La Crosse County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, La Crosse County's active systems draw on groundwater (122, 100%). Overall, all rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and none on surface water, compared with 99% and 0.6% across Wisconsin. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, La Crosse Waterworks, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in La Crosse County?

La Crosse County's active systems break down as 21 community systems (17%), 12 non-transient non-community systems (9.8%) and 89 transient non-community systems (73%). 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 (69%), local government (28%), state government (1.6%) and federal government (1.6%).