Safe Drinking Water Act

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is a United States federal law enacted in 1974 that establishes minimum standards for the quality of drinking water. It authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set these standards, which are designed to protect public health by limiting the levels of contaminants in drinking water. The SDWA covers all water suppliers who serve the public and includes two types of standards: primary standards, which focus on health effects, and secondary standards, which address aesthetic factors like taste and odor. The law has been amended over time to reflect advancements in toxicological knowledge and analytical measurement techniques, leading to more stringent regulations and the inclusion of a greater number of regulated contaminants.1