Increased water usage in the southeastern United States in the tri-state area of Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas poses a dilemma to ensuring long-term sustainability of the quantity and quality of ground-water resources that underlie the region. Demand for ground water by agriculture, municipalities and industry is presently stressing the sustainable yield of the fresh water aquifers. Instances of ground-water contamination have closed water-treatment facilities; many other potential contaminant sources could threaten human health. To address these threats, federal, state and local government have initiated a four-phase research effort to understand, model, and suggest best management practices for the ground-water resources in the region.