7-13-4501. Findings and purpose. (1) Pollution and degradation of surface water and ground water pose both immediate and long-term threats to the health, safety, and welfare of citizens of this state.

(2) Because of the expense and difficulty of ground water rehabilitation and cleanup and the need to protect drinking water supplies, policies and programs to prevent ground water contamination must be implemented.

(3) The purpose of this part is to provide for the creation of local water quality districts to protect, preserve, and improve the quality of surface water and ground water.