Which of the following best describes the Safe Drinking Water Act?

The Safe Drinking Water Act is a vital piece of legislation in the United States that specifically addresses the quality of drinking water. Its primary purpose is to ensure that public drinking water supplies are safe and free from harmful contaminants. The Act gives the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to set national health-based standards for drinking water to protect against both naturally occurring and man-made contaminants. This focus on drinking water safety is critical for public health, as it impacts the water consumed by millions of people every day.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different aspects of water management. Standards for wastewater management or industrial water discharge are focused on pollutants entering water bodies from various sources and how those pollutants are treated or controlled. Guidelines for recreational water quality concern the safety and quality of water in recreational areas, like lakes and swimming pools, but do not specifically address the potability of water for consumption. Thus, the distinction lies in the targeted purpose of the Safe Drinking Water Act, which is solely concerned with making drinking water safe for public consumption.