The Safe Drinking Water Act was adopted in 1974 to protect which of the following?

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), enacted in 1974, was designed to safeguard the quality of both ground and surface drinking water. This law established standards for drinking water to protect public health by regulating the nation's public water supply systems. The SDWA empowers the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set enforceable health standards for contaminants in drinking water and to oversee state and local water systems to ensure compliance with those standards.

By focusing on both ground and surface water, the SDWA aims to ensure that all sources of drinking water are safe for consumption, recognizing that natural water sources can be interconnected and that contamination can affect both types of water sources. This comprehensive approach is crucial for the protection of public health, making it clear that the aim of the legislation extends beyond just one specific type of water source. The importance of this dual focus is reflected in the need for consistent and widespread regulations to ensure safe drinking water for the entire population.