Using regional case studies, this document examines representative programs for dealing with ground water contamination. Section one describes the ground water protection strategy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); (2) discusses the limited data available for determining the extent of contamination; (3) provides a listing of the states selected for review in this study; and (4) suggests some criteria for effective ground water programs. Section two summarizes the conclusions and recommendations of the study, along with some general findings. Section three provides summaries of the 11 state and local ground water programs that were reviewed. The final section contains state and local strategies to protect ground water, and discusses information collection and management systems, classification systems, ground water quality standards, control of contamination sources, and the implementation of ground water protection programs. Legal information, references, a bibliography, and a list of state and local officials involved in ground water protection is included. (TW)