39-501 PURPOSE.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
CHAPTER 5
AQUIFER PROTECTION DISTRICTS
39-501. Purpose. The protection of ground water quality is essential for life, health and furthering matters of commerce. Multiple public agencies have regulatory jurisdiction over various aspects of everyday human activity that can and do pose risks to vital underground water supplies. Enforcement of current rules and regulations, implementation of educational programs, and inspection of potential sources of pollution require funding beyond the budgets of agencies charged with these responsibilities. The coordination of work by public agencies to assist in the prevention of degradation of valuable ground water can be a cost-effective alternative to after the fact remediation of a degraded resource. Certain ground water quality problems cannot be remedied, only prevented. The purposes of establishing an aquifer protection district include protection of the state’s economy, maintaining a water supply that does not require extensive treatment prior to human consumption or commercial use, avoiding the economic costs of remedial action, and protecting the well-being of communities that depend upon aquifers for essential human needs.