The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) SAFE 210

Overview Enacted in 1974 to: Enacted in 1974 to: –Protect public health by regulating the nation’s public drinking water supply Amended in 1986 and 1996 Amended in 1986 and 1996 –1986: Establish NPDWS for 83 specified contaminants –1996: Emphasis on public involvement and public right to know (i.e., annual reports). Identified need for funding.

Drinking water comes from a ‘watershed’ which is the land area over which water flows into the river, lake, or reservoir; not just the part of the river or lake that you can see

Who is regulated? Public water systems Public water systems –“System for the provision of water to the public for human consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances, if such such system has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves at least 25 individuals” 1 Chain of command Chain of command EPAStateLocal water supplier 1 SDWA § 1401(4)(A)

Guiding Regulations National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) –Set enforceable maximum contaminant levels for particular contaminants in drinking water or required ways to treat water to remove contaminants National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations (NSDWR) National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations (NSDWR) –Relate to the aesthetics of water, not health effects (i.e., color, taste, odor)

National Primary Drinking Water Regulations Standards set through a 3-step process: Standards set through a 3-step process: 1)EPA ID’s contaminants that may affect public health. 2)EPA sets a health goal (MCLG) 3)EPA determines a maximum contaminant level (MCL) or a required treatment technique

National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations Non-enforceable guidelines Non-enforceable guidelines Focuses on cosmetics and aesthetics of water Focuses on cosmetics and aesthetics of water

Category of Contaminants Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of Water Microorganisms  Gastrointestinal illness (ex. Diarrhea, vomiting, cramps) (ex. Diarrhea, vomiting, cramps)  Legionnaire ’ s disease, a type of pneumonia Disinfectants  Increased risk of cancer  Anemia  Liver, kidney or central nervous system problems DisinfectionByproducts  Eye/nose irritation  Stomach discomfort  Anemia Radionuclides  Increased risk of cancer  Kidney toxicity

Category of Contaminants Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of Water Inorganic Chemicals  Skin damage  Circulatory system problems  Nervous system effects  Bone disease/mottled teeth of children  Infants and children- delays in physical or mental development  Kidney problems  High blood pressure  Hair or fingernail loss OrganicChemicals  Nervous system effects  Increase risk of cancer  Cardiovascular system or reproductive problems  Anemia  Liver, kidney, spleen problems  Weight loss

Major Components to the SDWA EPA sets standards to help ensure consistent quality in our Nations water supply. EPA sets standards to help ensure consistent quality in our Nations water supply. Contaminants are prioritized by Risk along with Cost Benefit Analysis Contaminants are prioritized by Risk along with Cost Benefit Analysis National Primary Drinking Water Regulations set enforceable maximum contaminant levels & require ways to treat water to remove contaminants National Primary Drinking Water Regulations set enforceable maximum contaminant levels & require ways to treat water to remove contaminants

Enforcement Public notice requirements Public notice requirements State enforcement State enforcement EPA enforcement EPA enforcement Citizen suits Citizen suits

Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) Some information gathered in reports include: Identification of source water Identification of source water Information on detected contaminants Information on detected contaminants Violations of requirements Violations of requirements Explanations of variances/exemptions Explanations of variances/exemptions Explanation of expected contamiants Explanation of expected contamiants

Funding to the States The EPA provides grants to implement state drinking water programs The EPA provides grants to implement state drinking water programs –Small water systems get special consideration because of their limitations on financing system improvements and monitoring.