ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author discusses US federal regulations designed to protect our health and well-being: the so-called drinking water regulations. Control of the quality of our drinking water is accomplished by establishing certain regulations, which in turn require compliance within an established set of guidelines or parameters. Any level of contaminant that causes or may cause the aquifer to exceed any maximum contaminant level set forth in any promulgated National Primary Drinking Water Regulations at any point where the water may be used for drinking purposes. The National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations are non-enforceable guidelines regulating contaminants that may cause cosmetic effects (such as skin or tooth discoloration) or aesthetic effects (such as taste, odor, or color) in drinking water. A range of concentrations is established for substances that affect water only aesthetically and have no direct effect on public health.
