What is the primary purpose of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)?

The primary purpose of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is to protect public health by regulating the nation's public drinking water supply. This comprehensive legislation focuses on ensuring that drinking water is safe from harmful contaminants, thereby safeguarding consumers' health and well-being. Under the SDWA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes enforceable national standards for drinking water quality, which public water systems must meet to supply safe and potable water to their communities. The act emphasizes the importance of monitoring and treating water to prevent health risks associated with polluted drinking water.

While managing wastewater treatment, ensuring surface water quality, and providing funding for infrastructure projects are critical components of broader environmental and public health policies, they do not represent the core objective of the SDWA, which specifically centers on the safety and quality of drinking water supplies. This distinction highlights the act's focus on regulating and protecting public drinking water sources.