Required Programs & Protection Standards

Facilities that qualify as having regulated units must conduct monitoring and response programs that are subject to certain requirements. These requirements focus on the presence of hazardous materials in areas that may contaminate groundwater. The EPA regional administrator is responsible for determining the specific elements of the required monitoring and response programs in the facility permit. For groundwater protection, the regional administrator's determination will be based on the results of the following question:

• "Within the years specified by the compliance period, and when measured at a precise physical location, are hazardous constituents present in the groundwater in dangerous amounts?"

Each component of this question is subject to a set of specifications and regulations. The specifics of each unique situation are also critical in the determination. The regional administrator must consider specifics such as the following:

• The characteristics of the waste and whether it is likely to contaminate the surrounding area
• The geology of the facility and the land that surrounds it
• The presence of groundwater, and the direction of its flow
• The potential for health risks to humans, animals, and plants caused by exposure to the waste

To learn more about RCRA visit our RCRA Hazardous Waste Safety Online Training web page.