For the susceptibility analysis, the state combines the inventory results with other relevant information to decide how likely a water supply is to be contaminated by identified potential sources of contamination. This critical step makes the assessments useful for communities because it provides information that local decision makers can use to prioritize their approaches for protecting the drinking water supply. Local information provided to the state by local community groups about contaminant sources, water resource characteristics or environmental management practices may be used in the susceptibility determination process. Some states prioritize the potential for contamination from identified potential contamination sources or specific chemicals that could pollute the water. Other states assign susceptibility rankings of high, medium, or low to the water sources.