Are National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations legally enforceable?

National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations are not legally enforceable. These regulations set non-enforceable guidelines for water quality and are focused primarily on aesthetic considerations, such as taste, color, and odor, rather than on health effects. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues these secondary standards to provide recommendations for states and water suppliers to consider in their water treatment processes.

The intention behind these regulations is to guide water systems in maintaining water quality that is acceptable and pleasant for consumers, but compliance is not mandatory. This differs from primary drinking water standards, which are enforceable and focus on protecting public health by setting limits on contaminants that can cause harm.

In contrast, options suggesting enforceability under certain circumstances or based on the water supplier do not accurately represent the nature of these secondary regulations, emphasizing that they are recommendations rather than requirements.