What is primarily monitored under the Safe Drinking Water Act?

The primary focus of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is to ensure the quality of drinking water for the public, which is achieved through monitoring and compliance with established drinking water standards. This legislation empowers the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set and enforce standards for drinking water quality to protect public health. The act addresses contaminants that may pose health risks and mandates regular testing and monitoring of public water systems to ensure that they meet these safety standards.

Monitoring compliance with drinking water standards is critical because it helps to prevent waterborne diseases and protect communities from harmful pollutants. This oversight includes various protocols for testing water quality, reporting results, and taking corrective actions if water quality fails to meet established safety criteria. While aspects like water distribution costs, water source locations, and consumer awareness efforts are important in the broader context of water management, they do not directly align with the central aim of the SDWA, which is the assessment and enforcement of drinking water quality standards.