Prevention of source contamination is as important as the treatment or cure at the waterworks stage. Over one-half of the nation's population is dependent on groundwater, and EPA estimates that 80 percent of the nation's 40,000 community water supply systems are totally dependent on this source. As surface water resources become more scarce, underground aquifers will become more important in supplying potable water. The Act requires EPA and the States to establish programs to control the underground injection of brine, wastewater, gases, or any other fluids that might affect groundwater supplies. By June 16, EPA will propose regulations for State control programs to prohibit, starting in December 1977, any underground injection without a permit.
Additional provision is made for situations where earlier protection is needed.
Any persons may petition EPA to designate an area in which no new underground injection well may be operated unless the Administrator has issued a permit. The Act also provides EPA with authority to conduct broadscale research and individual studies on problems related to water supply, including health, technical, and economic problems. Nationwide monitoring of organic chemicals has already been started, following the discovery of some 66 such chemicals in New Orleans drinking water. EPA will submit preliminary results of this program to Congress in June. In consultation with State officials, EPA selected 80 cities throughout the country whose water supplies will be sampled and analyzed for the presence of organic chemicals.