What act ensures that public water systems treat water to meet quality standards to protect public health?

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the legislation that mandates public water systems to treat water in order to meet federal safety standards, ensuring that the water is safe for human consumption and protects public health. Enacted in 1974 and amended several times since, it establishes maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for various harmful substances in drinking water. The act also enables the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to oversee state programs and enforce regulations related to the safety of drinking water.

In contrast, the Clean Water Act focuses on regulating the discharge of pollutants into water bodies, aiming to protect the quality of surface waters but not specifically addressing the treatment of drinking water. The Water Quality Act is broader and pertains to overall water quality management, while the CLEAN AIR Act deals with air quality and does not relate to water systems. Therefore, the Safe Drinking Water Act is the specific act that ensures public water systems treat water to meet essential quality standards for the safety and health of consumers.