Safe Drinking Water Act

SDWA Regulatory Analysis Processes - Flowchart - EPA 2016

Sources of Lead in Drinking Water - EPA 2017

Understanding Your Water Quality Report - EPA 2018

UIC Program Poster - EPA 2001

1974 Safe Drinking Water Act. (15194692141)

President Bill Clinton signs the Safe Drinking Water Amendments Act of 1996

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is a significant piece of United States legislation that was enacted on December 16, 1974, to ensure the quality of drinking water in the country. The Act authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set national health-based standards for drinking water to protect against both naturally occurring and man-made contaminants that may be found in drinking water. The SDWA applies to every public water system (PWS) in the United States, including over 151,000 public water systems serving approximately 90 percent of the American population.

Background

Prior to the enactment of the Safe Drinking Water Act, there was no comprehensive federal law governing the quality of public drinking water. Various states had their own regulations, but there was a lack of uniformity and enforcement. The realization of widespread water contamination issues and the potential health risks associated with polluted drinking water led to public demand for federal regulation, culminating in the passage of the SDWA.

Key Provisions

The SDWA contains several key provisions aimed at protecting drinking water quality:

• National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs): These are legally enforceable standards that apply to public water systems. The EPA sets limits on levels of specific contaminants in drinking water. The standards are based on the contaminant's health effects, the feasibility of removing the contaminant, and cost considerations.

• State Primacy: States can be granted the authority to implement the SDWA within their jurisdiction, provided they meet certain EPA requirements. This means that states can enforce standards that are at least as stringent as the EPA's.

• Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) Program: States that have obtained primacy are responsible for overseeing the public water systems within their borders through this program.

• Monitoring and Reporting: Public water systems are required to monitor their water for contaminants specified by the EPA and report the results. If contaminants exceed the established limits, the system must take steps to reduce them and notify the public.

• Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs): Annually, community water systems must provide a report to their customers detailing the quality of their water, any detected contaminants, and possible health effects.

Amendments

The Safe Drinking Water Act has been amended several times to enhance protection against water contamination:

• 1986 Amendments: These amendments introduced new regulations for controlling lead in drinking water and increased the number of regulated contaminants.

• 1996 Amendments: Focused on improving many aspects of the SDWA, including water system financing, source water protection, operator training, and public information. These amendments also introduced the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), which provides financial support to water systems for infrastructure improvements.

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite its successes, the implementation of the SDWA has faced challenges, including the need for updates to address emerging contaminants, the financial burdens on small water systems, and the complexities of balancing public health goals with economic considerations.

Conclusion

The Safe Drinking Water Act represents a critical framework for ensuring the safety of drinking water in the United States. Through its regulations and standards, the SDWA has significantly reduced the risks of waterborne diseases and contaminants. However, ongoing efforts are necessary to address new challenges and protect public health in the face of emerging threats to water quality.