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e '. _ , • • The purpose of the Water quality Control Commission ground water rules is to establish state-wide standards and a system for classifying ground water and adopting water quality standards for such classifications to protect existing and potential beneficial uses of ground waters. The Interim Narrative Standard states that ground water quality shall be maintained for each parameter at whichever of the following lfnvels is less restrictive: existing ambient quality as of January 31, 1994; that quality which meets the most stringent criteria set forth in Tables 1 thru 4 of the "Basic Standards for Ground Water" 3.11.5(C) (5 CCR 1002-8). The interim standard shall not be interpreted or applied as defining or limiting the potential need for remediation of contaminated ground water where remedial requirements are established under state or federal law. It is the Water Quality Control Commission's intent that, to the maximum degree technically feasible and economically reasonable, remedial efforts should be directed at cleaning up groundwater contaminated by human activities to a degree that it is usable for all existing a;nd potential beneficial uses. Where contamination already exists, this interim standard is merely intended to assure that conditions are not allowed to deteriorate further pending remedial action. The appropriate level of clean-up to be achieved may be addressed by the Water Quality Control Commission in a future classification and standard setting proceeding, or by other agencies with jurisdiction over remedial actions. In applying the Interim Narrative Standard, the Water Quality Control Commission intends that implementing agencies will exercises their best professional judgement as to what constitutes adequate information to determine or estimate existing ambient quality. The interim narrative standard provides for a default standard that applies i_f there is inadequate information to determine or estimate existing ambient quality. The default standard is that quality which meets the most stringent Table Value Standards from the "Basic Standards for Ground Water. The Water Quality Control Commission has determined. as a matter of policy, that where existing information is limited, the Interim Narrative Standard should resolve any uncertainty in favor of protection. A potentially regulated entity can avoid application of the default standard by generating site-specific data, even subsequent to the effective date of the regulzition. The ambient quality established then becomes the standard for all appropriate regulatory purposes through the :implementing agencies. The intent of the Interim Narrative Standard is to maintain c~round water quality in aquifers not yet contaminated, and to prevent further