Which of the following actions is NOT directly associated with the Safe Drinking Water Act?

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is a significant piece of legislation in the United States aimed at ensuring the quality of Americans' drinking water. Among its various provisions, the act directly supports measures that require the establishment of federal standards for drinking water quality and mandates water quality programs at federal and state levels.

Running a water quality program is a fundamental aspect of the SDWA, as it is designed to regulate public water systems to protect human health. Similarly, conducting research on potential contaminants aligns with the act’s goals of identifying and managing risks to drinking water quality.

Delegating responsibility to states for compliance is also a key mechanism of the SDWA, allowing states to manage and enforce drinking water regulations within their jurisdictions. This delegation is crucial in allowing localized management of water quality issues while still adhering to federal standards.

The implementation of voluntary standards for water quality, however, is not a primary focus of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The act is centered around enforcing mandatory regulations and standards rather than establishing voluntary measures. Therefore, this action does not align with the core objectives and legal framework of the SDWA, making it the correct choice as the action not directly associated with the act.