Safe Drinking Water Act

Question 1

What does the SDWA regulate?

Answer 1

It regulates contaminants in drinking water and only applies to public drinking water systems.

Question 2

How does the SDWA regulate?

Answer 2

By setting the standards for public drinking water systems and the standards for various classes of underground injection wells.

Question 3

What are the standards for public drinking water systems?

Answer 3

1. EPA identifies and lists contaminants
2. EPA sets health based goals for concentration of contaminants in the drinking water: Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs)
3. EPA steps enforceable standards for contaminants in drinking water: Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) based on balancing of costs and benefits

Question 4

What are maximum contaminant level goals?

Answer 4

It’s the maximum level of a contaminant in drinking water at which no known or anti paged adverse effect on the health of persons would occur, which allows for an adequate margin of safety; non-enforceable public health goals.

Question 5

What is the maximum contaminant level?

Answer 5

The maximum level allowed of a contaminant in water which is delivered to any user of a public water system.