---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 9618"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "9618"
heading: "High priority for drinking water supplies"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/9618"
units:
  - "Chapter 103 — Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability"
  - "Subchapter I — Hazardous Substances Releases, Liability, Compensation"
---

# §9618. High priority for drinking water supplies


For purposes of taking action under section [9604](/usc/42/9604.md) or [9606](/usc/42/9606.md) of this title and listing [facilities](/usc/42/9601.md?p=9) on the National Priorities List, the President shall give a high priority to [facilities](/usc/42/9601.md?p=9) where the [release](/usc/42/9601.md?p=22) of [hazardous substances](/usc/42/9601.md?p=14) or pollutants or contaminants has resulted in the closing of drinking water wells or has contaminated a principal [drinking water supply](/usc/42/9601.md?p=7).


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 96–510, title I, § 118, as added Pub. L. 99–499, title I, § 118(a), Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1655.)