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Safe Drinking Water Act

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is a comprehensive federal law in the United States that regulates the quality of drinking water to protect public health. Enacted in 1974 and amended in 1986 and 1996, the SDWA sets standards for drinking water quality and establishes requirements for water suppliers to ensure the safety of the water provided to consumers.

Under the SDWA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for establishing and enforcing national drinking water standards. These standards cover a wide range of contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and other substances that may be present in drinking water sources.

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Water suppliers, including public water systems and private wells, are required to regularly monitor and test their water sources to ensure compliance with the SDWA standards. They must also treat the water if necessary to remove or reduce contaminants to safe levels.

The SDWA also includes provisions for public notification of any violations or contaminants found in drinking water. Water suppliers are required to inform consumers about the quality of their drinking water through annual consumer confidence reports, which provide information on the water source, detected contaminants, and compliance with SDWA standards.

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In addition to regulating drinking water quality, the SDWA also addresses other aspects of water management, such as source water protection, underground injection control, and water system operator certification.

Overall, the Safe Drinking Water Act plays a crucial role in safeguarding public health by ensuring that the water we drink is safe and free from harmful contaminants. It provides a framework for monitoring, regulating, and improving the quality of drinking water sources across the United States.

Keywords: drinking, quality, standards, contaminants, public, suppliers, sources, united, states