Which regulation ensures that water delivered is safe for human consumption?

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the regulation that ensures the water delivered to consumers is safe for human consumption. This act was established to protect public health by regulating the nation’s public drinking water supply. It authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set and enforce standards for drinking water quality, which includes monitoring and limiting contaminants that can adversely affect health.

The SDWA specifically focuses on water systems and sources from which drinking water is drawn, while outlining mandatory testing and treatment processes to ensure that all drinking water is safe and meets federal standards. This includes provisions that require public water systems to provide annual consumer confidence reports, informing the public about the water they consume.

In contrast, other regulations such as the Clean Water Act primarily deal with the quality of water in lakes, rivers, and streams, focusing on preventing pollution in those bodies of water rather than directly addressing drinking water safety. The Environmental Protection Act is a broader legislation aimed at protecting the environment as a whole, and the Water Quality Improvement Act focuses more on restoration and preservation efforts rather than specifically ensuring safe drinking water.