Based on statewide averages of runoff and ground-water recharge, Crawford County's 38 inches of average annual precipitation result in about 10 inches of runoff to streams and lakes, and about 6 inches have the potential to recharge aquifers, annually. Values for particular locations will differ according to local conditions. Water Use Water use for each of Crawford County's public water-supply systems is given in Table 1. For each water system, this table presents an estimate of the population served, water source, estimated daily usage and treatment plant capacity. The county's largest public water system is the city of Bucyrus, which uses the Sandusky River surface water resource for its supply and stores its water in four municipal reservoirs.
Ground water is a major water source for rural households in Crawford County.
Approximately 33 percent of all households obtain their water from private wells. Additional private water uses include industry, golf course and crop irrigation, and livestock use, mostly from ground-water supplies. The remaining 67 percent of households use public-water supplies with ground or surface water as the source, as identified in Table 1. Some water users in Ohio must register their withdrawals with the ODNR Div. of Water. The program is for registration only, and not for allocation or permission.