What is the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)?

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is a federal law that protects the quality of drinking water for people in the United States. It was enacted in 1974 in order to ensure a minimum level of safety for drinking water in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The SDWA is enforced by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and requires that public water systems meet certain standards for drinking water quality. This includes everything from microbial contaminants to toxic chemicals, as well as disinfection byproducts. In Virginia, the SDWA is enforced by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The DEQ oversees the state’s public water systems, which serve most of the state’s population. The DEQ also works with local authorities to ensure that public water systems are meeting the national safety standards set by the EPA. All public water systems must be tested regularly and the results of those tests must be reported to the state. The SDWA also requires public water systems to provide consumers with information about the quality of their drinking water. This includes information on any contaminants present in the water, as well as steps that can be taken to reduce their health risks. This information is usually provided on an annual basis or whenever there is a change in the water quality. Overall, the SDWA is designed to protect the health of the public by ensuring that drinking water is safe and meets government-mandated standards. This important piece of legislation helps guarantee that people in Virginia have access to clean and safe water.

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What is the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)?

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