Just as the ground water cleanup process is complex, so are the issues behind the methods and techniques EPA uses to determine the best approach for each site. This brochure explains some of the approaches EPA uses to clean up ground water contamination and, most importantly, offers information on how citizens can help reduce and prevent ground water contamination. Respond to chemical accidents and spills Pay for cleanup when parties who own or control a site cannot be found or cannot afford to pay. Protecting and cleaning up contaminated ground water are two of the main concerns of the Superfund Program. Over 80 percent of Superfund sites have ground water that is contaminated to some degree.
Ground water is the water present underground in the tiny spaces in rocks and soil.
Underground areas where ground water accumulates in large amounts are called aquifers. Aquifers are layers of rock or soil that can store and supply enough water to wells and springs to be economically useful. Ground water in aquifers will eventually discharge to or be replenished by springs, rivers, wells, precipitation, lakes, wetlands, and the oceans as part of the Earth's water cycle. Ground water accounts for over 95 percent of the nation's available fresh water resources, and is the drinking water source for half the people in this country. Many households, towns, cities, farms, and industries use ground water every day, or depend on lakes and rivers that receive part of their water supplies from ground water.