What is the primary purpose of the Safe Drinking Water Act?

The primary purpose of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is to ensure the safety of drinking water in the United States. This federal law was enacted in 1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation's public drinking water supply. The SDWA mandates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish standards for drinking water quality, oversee the states' implementation of these standards, and assure that water suppliers provide safe drinking water to their customers.

Under this act, the EPA sets regulations for over 90 contaminants that may be present in drinking water, ensuring that municipalities and water systems consistently monitor and treat their water supplies to meet health standards. The act emphasizes protecting not only public health but also ensuring the reliability and safety of drinking water resources across the country.

As for the other options, regulating bottled water, managing wastewater treatment, and monitoring surface water quality are all important aspects of water management but fall outside the specific scope of the Safe Drinking Water Act. This act primarily focuses on the safety of drinking water rather than aspects associated with bottled water regulation, wastewater treatment, or broader water quality monitoring.