What is the purpose of the Safe Water Drinking Act, and what role does the EPA play in administering this law?

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SWDA) is a US federal law designed to protect public health by regulating public drinking water supplies. Its purpose is to ensure potable water free from harmful contaminants is provided by setting safety standards for treatment processes, monitoring practices, reporting procedures, and maximum contaminant levels in drinking water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for developing, implementing, and enforcing these regulations. The EPA sets the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations, oversees states, localities, and water suppliers implementing the regulations, and provides technical assistance for compliance. The EPA also collaborates with state and local authorities to enforce the act. If the local authorities aren't adequately enforcing the laws, the EPA can step in and take enforcement actions directly. In this way, the EPA plays a critical role in ensuring access to clean, safe drinking water for millions of Americans.