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The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the primary federal law in the United States intended to ensure safe drinking water for the public. [3] Pursuant to the act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to set standards for drinking water quality and oversee all states, localities, and water suppliers that implement the standards.
The Safe Drinking Water Act is the principal federal law governing public water systems. [1] These systems provide drinking water through pipes or other constructed conveyances to at least 15 service connections, or serve an average of at least 25 people for at least 60 days a year. As of 2017 there are over 151,000 public water systems.
Drinking water quality in the United States. Drinking water quality in the United States is generally safe. In 2016, over 90 percent of the nation's community water systems were in compliance with all published U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) standards. [1] Over 286 million Americans get their tap water from a community water system.
Drinking water standards include lists of parametric values, and also specify the sampling location, sampling methods, sampling frequency, analytical methods, and laboratory accreditation (AQC). In addition, a number of standards documents also require calculation to determine whether a level exceeds the standard, such as taking an average.
Sources where drinking water is commonly obtained include springs, hyporheic zones and aquifers (groundwater), from rainwater harvesting, surface water (from rivers, streams, glaciers), or desalinated seawater. For these water sources to be consumed safely, they must receive adequate water treatment and meet drinking water quality standards. [6]
Water quality refers to the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water based on the standards of its usage. [1][2] It is most frequently used by reference to a set of standards against which compliance, generally achieved through treatment of the water, can be assessed.
The Drinking Water Inspectorate is a section of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs set up to regulate the public water supply companies in England and Wales. [6] Water testing in England and Wales can be conducted at the environmental health office at the local authority. [7] See Drinking Water Inspectorate.
Contents. The Directive is intended to protect human health by laying down healthiness and purity requirements which must be met by drinking water within the Community (see water quality). Articles 1 and 2 make clear the goal is wholesome and clean water as ‘intended for human consumption’, for instance in drinking, cooking, and for food.