Safe Drinking Water Act

Definition

The Safe Drinking Water Act is a federal law that regulates the quality of public drinking water supplies in the United States. It aims to protect public health by setting standards for the maximum contaminant levels in drinking water and requiring water treatment systems to monitor and remove these contaminants.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Safe Drinking Water Act was first passed in 1974 and has been amended several times, most notably in 1986 and 1996.
2. The Act requires the EPA to set national standards for drinking water quality, including maximum contaminant levels for over 90 contaminants.
3. Public water systems must regularly test their water and report any violations of the EPA's drinking water standards to the public.
4. The Act also provides funding for water system improvements and research into new water treatment technologies.
5. The Safe Drinking Water Act applies to all public water systems, but does not regulate private wells or bottled water, which are subject to different regulations.

Review Questions

• Explain the purpose and key provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
  • The primary purpose of the Safe Drinking Water Act is to protect public health by regulating the quality of public drinking water supplies in the United States. The Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency to set standards for the maximum levels of contaminants allowed in drinking water, and it mandates that public water systems regularly test their water and report any violations to the public. The Act also provides funding for water system improvements and research into new water treatment technologies to ensure the safety and reliability of the nation's drinking water.
• Describe the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in implementing and enforcing the Safe Drinking Water Act.
  • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the federal agency responsible for implementing and enforcing the Safe Drinking Water Act. Under the Act, the EPA is tasked with setting national standards for drinking water quality, including establishing maximum contaminant levels for over 90 different contaminants. The EPA also oversees public water systems, requiring them to regularly test their water and report any violations of the drinking water standards. Additionally, the EPA provides funding and technical assistance to help water systems upgrade their infrastructure and comply with the Act's regulations.
• Analyze how the Safe Drinking Water Act has impacted the quality and safety of public drinking water in the United States.
  • Since the enactment of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the quality and safety of public drinking water in the United States has significantly improved. The Act has led to the establishment of strict national standards for drinking water contaminants, which has required public water systems to implement more advanced treatment technologies and monitoring procedures. This has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the levels of harmful contaminants, such as lead, bacteria, and chemical pollutants, in the nation's drinking water supplies. Additionally, the Act's funding provisions have enabled many communities to upgrade aging water infrastructure, further enhancing the reliability and safety of their public water systems. Overall, the Safe Drinking Water Act has played a crucial role in protecting public health by ensuring that Americans have access to clean, safe drinking water.

Related terms

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The federal agency responsible for implementing and enforcing the Safe Drinking Water Act, setting drinking water standards, and overseeing public water systems.

Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs): The highest level of a contaminant allowed in public drinking water, as set by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Public Water Systems: Water systems that provide water for human consumption through at least 15 service connections or regularly serve at least 25 individuals, which are subject to the regulations of the Safe Drinking Water Act.