Safe Drinking Water Act 50th Anniversary—Recognizing an Evolving Path of Groundwater Management and Protection.

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is a law that was enacted in 1974 and has been amended to protect groundwater and ensure safe drinking water in the United States. It sets standards for drinking water quality, delegates enforcement authority to states, regulates contaminants, controls waste and fluid releases underground, establishes monitoring requirements, promotes public notification, and ensures compliance with safety measures. Groundwater is the source of water supply for three-quarters of public community water systems in the country. The SDWA also addresses emerging contaminants and provides financial assistance to states for repairing and constructing public water system facilities. The Underground Injection Control (UIC) program sets federal requirements for waste and fluid injection into the subsurface to prevent contamination of underground sources of drinking water. The EPA regulates different classes of injection wells based on their potential to endanger drinking water sources. The SDWA also includes programs for groundwater protection, technical assistance to water systems, education on protecting groundwater sources, and other features such as consumer confidence reports and risk analyses. However, the SDWA will face challenges in the future, including increasing demand for groundwater, climate variability, sea level rise, and emerging contaminants. Continued financial assistance and support for small systems will be necessary to ensure the protection of groundwater for safe drinking water supply. [Extracted from the article]