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I EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In the last decade the public has grown increasingly aware of the problem of ground-water contamination. Repeated reports of chemicals threatening drinking water supplies have mobilized State, local and Federal governments to respond. But these responses suffer from a lack of coordination among responsible agencies, limited information about the health effects of exposure to some contaminants, and a limited scientific foundation on which to base policy decisions. Officials at all levels of government have begun to look for a definable strategy to protect ground water. The strategy presented here will provide a common reference for responsible institutions as they work toward the shared goal of preserving, for current and future generations, clean ground water for drinking and other uses, while protecting the public health of citizens who may be exposed to the effects of past contamination. EPA Administrator William D. Ruckelshaus recognized the need to protect ground-water quality as a major national concern. In response, Deputy Administrator Alvin L. AIm formed a Ground- Water Task Force to: (1) identify areas of serious inconsistencies among programs and institutions at the State, local and Federal levels; (2) assess the need for greater program coordination within EPA; and (3) examine the means available for EPA to strengthen States' capabilities to protect ground-water resources as they themselves define the need. In line with EPA's mission to preserve and enhance environmental ualit , this strate document dea s excluslvely wlth issues of ground-water quality. Issues of water Quantitv and allocation are outside the province of EPA. The Task Force was composed of staff from each affected EPA Program Office and two EPA regions. The Office of Water chaired the group. Beginning work in June 1983, the Task Force delivered a draft report to the Deputy Administrator on September 1, 1983. He met with the involved Assistant Administrators and their key staff on more than five occasions to discuss the report and its implications. As options began to narrow, this senior policy group requested additional analyses from the Task Force, consulting with Regional Administrators as it proceeded. At leng~h, after concerted debate and broad-scale Agency involvement, the main policy elements for an EPA Ground-Water Protection Strategy emerged. Draft conclu- sions were discussed with Congressional Staff, State organizations, environmental and industry organizations. This report presents. the product of that decision process. 0112