2024 is the 50th Anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act
Before 1974, the United States had zero national standards for the treatment or testing of safe drinking water. Enter the Safe Drinking Water Act! Signed into law 50 years ago, the Safe Drinking Water Act is the law that protects the health and safety of the water that comes out of our taps.
We’ve made a lot of progress in the last 50 years, protecting our drinking water from over 90 different contaminants, but we still have a ways to go to ensure every person in the United States has access to affordable water that is safe to drink.
In honor of the Safe Drinking Water Act’s 50th anniversary, join us in celebrating the community advocates fighting for stronger public health standards to keep toxic forever chemicals and lead out of taps. Please share these voices from across the country, and add your own, on the impact of unsafe drinking water and how communities are making progress to ensure every family has access to clean water.
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History of the Safe Drinking Water Act
On December 16, 1974, The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) became law.
Before 1974, the United States had zero national standards for the treatment or testing of safe drinking water. Enter the Safe Drinking Water Act! On December 16, 1974, The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) became law, protecting the health and safety of the water that comes out of our taps.
The SDWA is our nation’s main law to protect the quality of our drinking water at the tap. Like the Clean Water Act (CWA), responsibility for oversight and implementation of the SDWA rests mainly with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, the SDWA only regulates public water systems. It does not apply to private wells, water systems serving fewer than 25 persons or bottled water.
We’ve made a lot of progress in the last 50 years, protecting our drinking water from over 90 different contaminants, but we still have a ways to go to ensure every person in the United States has access to affordable water that is safe to drink.
For additional resources on the history of the SDWA, check out: EPA History: Safe Drinking Water Act.
Milestones of the Safe Drinking Water Act
- 1974
- 1986
- 1996
- 2011
- 2016
- 2024
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1974
The SDWA was signed into law by President Gerald Ford, four years after EPA was established.
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1986
SDWA Amendments required EPA to apply National Primary Drinking Water Regulations to both community water systems and non-transient non-community water systems.
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1996
SDWA Amendments required EPA to use the best available, peer-reviewed science and consider risk and cost assessments when creating drinking water standards. The amendment also established the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and required community water systems to send annual Consumer Confidence Reports about their water quality to consumers.
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2011
SDWA Amendment created the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act
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2016
The Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act further amended the SDWA to strengthen and enhance public notification requirements related to exceedances of national standards for lead in drinking water.
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2024
EPA issued the final rule for the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements to identify and replace lead service lines within a 10-year period, as well as the regulation for maximum contaminant levels of 6 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” including PFOS.
For more details and milestones, American Water Works Association has a great Celebrating 50 Years of Safe Drinking Water Act timeline!
Celebrating Our Wins
Share these voices from across the country, or add your own. When choosing a post, tap or click the arrow on the right to download and copy the attached media. Then press the larger button with your selected platform to post!
Drinking Water 101 Series
Recorded webinars providing an introduction and overview of the basics of drinking water sources, treatment, and quality. Designed for anyone starting work on this issue or looking for a refresher on key components of drinking water treatment!
Taking Action for Drinking Water
From October 2020
A conversation between River Network and community partners from around the Great Lakes about taking action on drinking water in your community to ensure clean, safe, and affordable water for all.
Lessons from the Network
River Network’s conversations with policy advocates from across the country.
- Rebecca Shelton, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center
- Cheyenne Holliday, Verde
- Iyana Simba, Illinois Environmental Council
- Laurene Allen, Merrimack Citizens for Clean Water
SDWA Resources
Do you want to learn more about the Safe Drinking Water Act? These resources can help you launch or continue your drinking water advocacy efforts.
River Network
River Network’s Drinking Water Guide: A Resource for Advocates provides in-depth information, resources, and case studies for people looking to address drinking water concerns locally and nationally.
Environmental Forum
Erik Olson (with NRDC) writes about the need for an updated SDWA in the 21st century.
Earthjustice
This Earthjustice report, The Safe Drinking Water Act at 50 – A Call for Urgent Reform, highlights the urgent need to modernize the Safe Drinking Water Act to address growing water safety challenges.
Earthjustice
Victory — Lead and Copper Rule improvements are a critical tool for safeguarding our drinking water. Learn about recent changes here.
This commemoration of the Safe Drinking Water Act’s 50th Anniversary is brought to you by:
