Safe Drinking Water Act

President Ford signed the Safe Drinking Water Act on December 16, 1974, after studies found harmful contaminants in many public water supplies. It directs EPA to set legally enforceable limits for contaminants in drinking water and requires public water systems, about 150,000 of them serving more than 300 million people, to test their water, treat it, and tell customers about violations. Private wells, used by more than 40 million people, are not covered.

EPA now regulates more than 90 contaminants, including bacteria, nitrates, arsenic, and lead. Amendments in 1986 and 1996 sped up standard-setting, required cost-benefit analysis, created a revolving loan fund for water system upgrades, and required annual water quality reports for customers. Most states have primary enforcement authority. The lead crisis in Flint, Michigan, which began in 2014 when the city switched water sources without proper corrosion control, exposed weaknesses in enforcement, and the 2021 infrastructure law provided 15 billion dollars to replace lead pipes.

In April 2024 EPA set the first national limits for PFAS, long-lasting chemicals used in nonstick and water-resistant products, for six compounds. In May 2026 EPA proposed rescinding limits for four of them and extending the deadline for the two most common, PFOA and PFOS, to 2031. Water utilities say the original deadlines and costs were unrealistic, while health and environmental groups say the delay leaves millions exposed. A 2024 rule also required most lead service lines to be replaced within ten years.