This district is proud to join the water community in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). This landmark law has safeguarded public health by protecting drinking water quality since its passage on December 16, 1974.
In the early 1970s, growing concerns over polluted waterways, industrial waste, and contamination risks led Congress to prioritize clean water. Before the SDWA, there were no federal standards to regulate drinking water safety, leaving communities vulnerable to waterborne diseases and pollutants. The act empowered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set and enforce national health-based standards for drinking water.
Over the past 50 years, the SDWA has made significant progress in ensuring access to safe, clean drinking water for millions of Americans. It has established water quality standards, reduced harmful contaminants, and supported water systems of all sizes in delivering safe water to their communities.
Water is life, and the Safe Drinking Water Act has proven its worth as a cornerstone of public health and environmental protection over the past 50 years. Here’s to continuing its mission for decades to come!