LENEXA, Kan. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has marked the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), passed in 1974 to set federal standards for drinking-water quality. President Joe Biden issued a statement commemorating the Safe Drinking Water Act’s 50th anniversary.
Since December 16, 1974 — when Congress passed the Safe Drinking Act legislation that President Gerald Ford signed into law — EPA has worked with federal partners, states, tribes, and local officials, water systems, private companies, and the public to achieve the vision of the Safe Drinking Water Act, that people across America have clean and safe drinking water.
“For 50 years, EPA has worked with states, Tribes, and local partners to ensure that communities across the country can count on safe drinking water. As a result, Americans are leading longer, healthier lives while the foundation of safe drinking water attracts businesses to communities and fosters opportunity,” said Bruno Pigott, Deputy Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Water. “The Safe Drinking Water Act provides a framework for developing collaborative solutions to address drinking water challenges of today and tomorrow.”
Today, the work to protect drinking water remains essential to supporting vibrant communities across the country. In October, EPA finalized the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements to replace toxic lead pipes that deliver drinking water to people’s homes. Also, this year, EPA issued the first drinking water standards for PFAS that the agency estimates will protect nearly 100 million people from exposure to these toxic “forever chemicals” in drinking water.
A Safe Drinking Water Timeline:
- Between 1961 and 1970, officials documented over 46,000 cases of waterborne hepatitis, salmonellosis, and gastroenteritis — diseases caused by chlorine-resistant pathogens.
- SDWAprotects public health and creates thriving communities by limiting contaminants in our drinking water for half a century.
Implementation of infrastructure investment programs created by SDWA help communities comply with drinking water quality standards and tackle local challenges.