ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes the directives of the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1986, describes the philosophy of and some of the methods used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in developing the drinking water regulations, and defines some of the terms used in the regulations. The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 (SDWA) directed the United States EPA to identify substances in drinking water "which in the judgment of the administrator may have any adverse effect" on public health. The SDWA directs EPA to set maximum containment levels as close to maximum contaminant level goals as feasible. Interim National Primary Drinking Water Regulations were established as directed within 180 days of enactment of the SDWA and final regulations were to be developed over a specified period of years. Treatment technologies are included as part of the regulatory development for each chemical or group of chemicals.
