What type of contaminants does the SDWA focus on regulating?

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is primarily concerned with ensuring safe drinking water for the public by regulating a wide range of contaminants that can affect human health. The act focuses on both chemical and biological contaminants because these can pose significant health risks to consumers.

Chemical contaminants include substances like pesticides, heavy metals, and disinfection byproducts, which can enter water supplies through agricultural runoff, industrial discharges, or during the water treatment process. Biological contaminants refer to microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause waterborne diseases. The SDWA mandates that water suppliers monitor for these contaminants and maintain water quality standards to protect public health.

While physical and aesthetic contaminants (like sediments or taste/odor issues) are important for overall water quality, they are not the primary focus of the SDWA in terms of health regulations. Similarly, the act does not limit its concerns to only industrial pollutants or naturally occurring metals, but rather encompasses a broader spectrum of harmful substances that could impact the safety of drinking water.