What federal law regulates public water supplies?

The Safe Drinking Water Act is the federal law that specifically regulates public water supplies. Enacted in 1974 and amended several times, this law aims to protect public health by ensuring safe drinking water from public water systems. It establishes standards for drinking water quality and oversees state-level enforcement of these standards. The law empowers the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set these standards and to enforce compliance among public water systems.

This law is crucial for ensuring that the water supplied to communities is safe for consumption and free from harmful contaminants, making it a central piece of legislation in the management of public water resources. Other laws, like the Clean Water Act, focus on the contamination of surface waters and protecting water quality in water bodies rather than directly regulating drinking water. Thus, the Safe Drinking Water Act stands out as the primary legislation concerning public water safety.