1974, 1984, 1996

 Enacted December 16, 1974 ◦ Amended in 1986 and 1996  SWDA regulates all public water systems in the U.S. (national law)  Requires the EPA to set Maximum Contaminant Levels for public drinking water as well as non-enforceable containment level goals. ◦ Bottled water is not regulated under SWDA, it’s instead regulated by the FDA. ◦ SDWA also does not apply to private wells that serve less than 25 people.  The 1986 amendment also required standards to be set that limited Lead contamination.  SDWA protects the public’s drinking water as well as its sources from environmental risks that include: pesticides, waste injected deep undergrounds, human waste, disposed chemicals, etc.

 The 1996 amendment also required the EPA to consider cost-benefit analysis, and detailed scientific research when setting contaminant levels.  The 1996 amendment also incorporated water source-protection, operator training and funding for improvements into the Act. ◦ This was done to ensure water quality from source to tap.  Individual states can apply to have the authority to regulate their drinking water systems independently through EPA standards (all states have this privilege except Wyoming and the District of Columbia).