NATURE OF THE CASE: MIAMI DRUM SERVICES, INC. OPERATED A DRUM CLEANING AND RECYCLING FACILITY IN AN INDUSTRIAL AREA OF MIAMI FOR 15 YEARS. SEVERAL THOUSAND DRUMS CONTAINING CHEMICAL WASTE MATERIALS WERE HANDLED ON THE APPROXIMATELY ONE-ACRE SITE. DRUMS CONTAINING INDUSTRIAL SOLVENTS, ACIDS, METALS AND OTHER WASTES WERE ROUTINELY WASHED WITH CAUSTIC CLEANING SOLUTIONS AND RECYCLED. SPILLS AND PERCOLATION OF CONTAMINATED WASTEWATER SOLUTIONS SATURATED THE SOIL ON THE SITE AND THE GROUNDWATER OF THE BISCAYNE AQUIFER. IN FEBRUARY 1981, DADE COUNTY DISCOVERED CONTAMINATION ON THE SITE AND, SUBSEQUENTLY, TOOK LEGAL ACTION AGAINST MIAMI DRUM SERVICES TO REQUIRE THEM TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF CON TAMINATION AND TO CLEAN UP THE SITE. THE FACILITY CEASED OP- ERATIONS IN APRIL 1981 AS A RESULT OF A COURT ORDER OBTAINED BY DADE COUNTY.