[7] The SDWA requires EPA to establish National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs) for contaminants that may cause adverse public health effects.

[10] MCLs have additional significance because they can be used under the Superfund law as "Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements" in cleanups of contaminated sites on the National Priorities List.

[10] The agency issued its initial Surface Water Treatment Rule in 1989, to address contamination from viruses, bacteria and Giardia lamblia.

[10] EPA has issued standards for antimony, arsenic, asbestos, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, cyanide, fluoride, lead, mercury, nitrate, nitrite, selenium and thallium.

[17] In response to the Flint, Michigan water crisis, EPA published revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule on January 15, 2021 addressing testing, pipe replacement and related issues.

[21][22] EPA has issued standards for over 53 organic compounds, including benzene, dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD), PCBs, styrene, toluene, vinyl chloride and several pesticides.

[24] The agency is providing grant funds to assist small and disadvantaged communities in testing for and treating PFAS contamination in their water systems.

[26] Secondary drinking water standards are non-regulatory guidelines for aesthetic characteristics, including taste, color, and odor.

[48] On December 27, 2021 EPA published a regulation requiring drinking water utilities to conduct monitoring for 29 PFAS compounds and lithium.

[60][61] All state and territories, except Wyoming and the District of Columbia, have received primacy approval from EPA, to supervise the PWS in their respective jurisdictions.

Violations of SDWA requirements are enforced initially through a primacy agency's notification to the PWS, and if necessary following up with formal orders and fines.

Congress' cautious "preventive" approach requires permit applicants to show that their injections will not harm underground sources of drinking water.

[65]: 1080  The 1974 SDWA authorized EPA to regulate injection wells in order to protect underground sources of drinking water.

[69] Congress amended the SDWA in 2005 to exclude hydraulic fracturing, an industrial process for recovering oil and natural gas, from coverage under the UIC program, except where diesel fuels are used.

[76]: 6–7  Since this emergency power protection applies to all USDWs it includes potential future supplies of public water and even private wells.

[76]: 11 Whenever EPA finds a violation of the UIC Program and the State does not or cannot act, the agency must issue an administrative order or to file a civil action to require compliance.

[83] Employees in the US who believe they were fired or suffered another adverse action related to enforcement of this law have 30 days to file a written complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The discovery of contamination from organic chemicals in public water systems and the lack of enforceable, national standards persuaded Congress to take action.

[94] The EPA created and put into effect a thorough framework to protect public health in order to preserve safe drinking water.

The agencys job was to set Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) based on the most recent scientific findings making sure that health protection came first regardless of cost.

Furthermore, in order to balance the cost and viability of treatment technologies with public health priorities legally binding standards known as Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) were developed.

In order to ensure compliance, the EPA also established monitoring standards for public water systems which include recurring testing and reporting.

In addition to implementing regulations, the agency started public awareness campaigns to inform local communities about water safety and possible risk mitigation strategies.

Discovery of contamination from organic chemicals in public water systems and the lack of enforceable, national standards persuaded Congress to take action.

During this time reports emphasized the prevalence of waterborne illnesses brought on by dangerous chemicals bacteria and viruses found in public water systems.

Public alarm was heightened for instance when industrial pollutants like lead nitrates and organic chemicals were found in drinking water.

Scientists public health officials and environmental advocacy groups stepped up their calls for national standards to guarantee safe drinking water.

The need to develop a legislative framework that addresses the urgent need for safe and clean drinking water throughout the United States was highlighted by the mounting pressure on Congress.

[96] The 1986 SDWA amendments required EPA to apply future NPDWRs to both community and non-transient non-community water systems when it evaluated and revised current regulations.

[106] The Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act was signed by President Barack Obama on December 11, 2015.