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Quick Links
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Underground Injection Control Program
(UIC)
The UIC Program works with state and local governments to oversee
underground injection of waste in order to prevent contamination
of drinking water resources.
National Ground
Water Reports
- The National Water Quality Inventory Report to Congress (305(b)
report) is the primary vehicle for informing Congress and
the public about general water quality conditions in the United
States. OGWDW has separately published (EPA-816-R-00-013) a three
chapter volume containing a drinking water chapter with information
submitted by states, territories and American Indian Tribes as
well as chapters on ground water quality and ground water protection.
- Wellhead Protection Program Biennial Report: Progress
under approved state wellhead protection programs
- Ground Water Report to Congress: the status of ground
water quality in the United States and the effectiveness of State
programs for ground water protection.
MTBE in Drinking Water
June 2000 - Follow this link to a fact sheet about MTBE and additional
links to EPA MTBE information . MTBE (methyl-t-butyl ether) is a
member of a group of chemicals commonly known as fuel oxygenates.
MTBE is used in gasoline throughout the United States to reduce
carbon monoxide and ozone levels caused by auto emissions. MTBE
has replaced the use of lead as an octane enhancer since 1979. Due
to its widespread use, reports of MTBE detections in the nation's
ground and surface water supplies are increasing. The Office of
Water is actively involved in identifying the issues and addressing
the concerns over the potential presence of MTBE in our water supplies.
Approximately 42 million people ( US Geological Survey, 1995 )
in the U.S. obtain water from their own private drinking water supplies.
Most of these supplies are drawn from ground water through wells.
EPA does not oversee private wells, although some state and local
governments do set rules to protect users of these wells. EPA encourages
these households to take special precautions to ensure the protection
and maintenance of their drinking water supplies. EPA has just released
a new guide for homeowners entitled "Drinking
Water From Household Wells." This booklet helps answer
the most frequently asked questions. It also describes problems
to look for and offers maintenance suggestions.
Upcoming Activities
Source Water Protection and Underground Storage Tanks: Partnership
Opportunity
The Offices of Ground Water and Drinking Water and Underground Storage
Tanks are working together to reduce the risks of underground storage
tanks to drinking water sources. In a July 20, 2004 joint memo to
Regional Water Division Directors and UST/LUST Directors, Cynthia
Dougherty and Cliff Rothenstein outlined recommended actions to
determine whether USTs are one of the risks to drinking water sources in
their Region, and to coordinate work to make the best use of resources
and increase public health protection.
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