When was the Safe Drinking Water Act enacted?

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was enacted on December 16, 1974. This legislation was significant because it aimed to protect public health by regulating the nation's public drinking water supply. The act authorized the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set safety standards for drinking water and oversee states, localities, and water suppliers to ensure compliance with those standards. The enactment of the SDWA marked a crucial step in ensuring that all Americans had access to safe and clean drinking water, establishing a framework for federal and state collaboration to safeguard water quality. This law also laid the groundwork for subsequent amendments and regulations that have further strengthened drinking water protections in the United States.