What legislation ensures public water systems treat water to meet quality standards?

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the legislation that primarily ensures public water systems treat water to meet specific quality standards. Enacted in 1974 and amended several times since, the SDWA aims to protect public health by regulating the nation's public drinking water supply. It establishes standards for drinking water quality and oversees the states, localities, and water suppliers to ensure compliance with these standards.

Under this act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is authorized to set the standards that public water systems must meet in order to protect consumers from harmful contaminants and ensure the water being provided is safe for consumption. The act plays a crucial role in safeguarding public health by monitoring and addressing the quality of drinking water, making it fundamental for the operation of safe water systems across the country.

In contrast, the Clean Water Act primarily focuses on the regulation of pollutant discharges into navigable waters and the improvement of water quality in those bodies of water, rather than directly addressing the quality of drinking water. The Water Pollution Control Act was an earlier version of the Clean Water Act, focusing on similar issues related to water pollution. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act addresses the disposal of solid and hazardous waste rather than the treatment of drinking water.