Which federal law regulates public water supplies?

The Safe Drinking Water Act is the federal law that specifically regulates public water supplies in the United States. This legislation was enacted to protect the quality of drinking water and establish standards for water safety, ensuring that water supply systems provide safe drinking water to the public. It gives the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to set and enforce these standards, which includes monitoring contaminants and overseeing state-level implementation of drinking water regulations.

This act also encompasses an array of provisions, including setting maximum contaminant levels for various pollutants, conducting regular assessments of water supplies, and requiring water systems to provide consumers with information regarding their water quality. As such, it plays a pivotal role in safeguarding public health by ensuring that drinking water is free from harmful levels of contaminants.