What does the Safe Drinking Water Act ensure?

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is a key piece of legislation in the United States that aims to protect public health by regulating the nation's water supply. It ensures that safe drinking water is provided to the public by setting enforceable standards for drinking water quality. This includes establishing maximum contaminant levels for various harmful substances that could affect human health, thereby ensuring that public water systems are regularly monitored and compliant with these safety standards.

The act also empowers the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to oversee and enforce these regulations, which involves regular assessment of water quality, reporting, and addressing issues of contamination. Thus, it encapsulates the primary goal of guaranteeing that the public has access to safe and clean drinking water.