Local and regional risk management programs imply different results than the existing emphasis of public management on a chemical by chemical, source by source basis for social control. Local multi-hazard risk management programs are beginning to be encouraged, are complementary to existing policy and, on the whole, are desirable. Indeed such local risk management programs could play a key role in preserving the integrity of rural groundwater resources. The issue of the triage problem, or whether contamination of some waters from agricultural chemicals is inevitable and therefore should be planned for rationally, is examined from the point of view of general administration of pollution control.