Safe Drinking Water Act

Summary

Safe Drinking Water Act - Provides that the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, after consultation with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, shall issue proposed regulations prescribing national primary and secondary drinking water standards within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act. Restricts the authority of the Administrator to prescribe the addition of any substance to water systems other than for the purpose of treating contaminants. Requires the Administrator to review the adequacy of any national primary or secondary drinking water standards issued under this Act every three years. Establishes, within the Environmental Protection Agency, a National Drinking Water Council consisting of fifteen scientifically qualified members. Provides that the Council shall advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the Administrator on matters relating to the scientific review of data relating to the activities of the Agency under this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to render financial, technical, and other assistance to public agencies, institutions, water supply utilities, and individuals in the conduct of research and investigations relating to contaminants in drinking water or to the provision of adequate supplies of safe drinking water. Authorizes the Administrator to finance any project or activity which is designed: (1) to develop, expand, or carry out a program for training persons for occupations involving the management and operation of drinking water systems; and (2) to train instructors to teach such programs. Authorizes appropriations of $14,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, $23,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, and $31,000,000 for fiscal year 1976. Provides that the Administrator shall (after consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and the several States) conduct a survey of the quantity, quality, and availability of rural drinking water supplies. States that such survey shall be completed within two years after the date of enactment of this Act and a final report submitted, not less than six months after the completion of such survey, to the President for transmittal to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations of $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, and $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 for such survey. Provides for special study and demonstration grants for the purposes of: (1) demonstrating new or improved methods of providing safe drinking water to the urban and rural areas of the nations; and (2) investigating the health implications of recycling waste waters for drinking and related uses. States that such grants shall not exceed 66 2/3 percent of the construction costs and 75 percent of other costs as determined by the Administrator. Authorizes appropriations of $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, and $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1976. Authorizes appropriations of $8,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, and $21,300,000 for fiscal year 1976 for grants to States to assist them in establishing and maintaining adequate programs to assure the safety of public drinking water. Provides that such grants shall not exceed 66 2/3 percent of the cost of any such State program. Sets forth provisions which a State plan for such program shall contain to qualify for grants under this Act. Grants the States primary enforcement responsibility with respect to standards established under this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to issue regulations to carry out the purposes of this Act. Provides for judicial review of such regulations. States that nothing in this Act shall affect the authority of any State or local governmental unit to establish drinking water standards, except that such standards shall not be less stringent than the requirements of this Act. Specifies activities which are prohibited under this Act. Sets forth penalties for any such violations. Authorizes any person to commence a civil action for injunctive relief under this Act. Makes the provisions of the Act applicable to Federal facilities. Authorizes the Administrator to waive compliance with the requirements of this Act upon receiving information from the Secretary of Defense or from the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating that such waiver is in the interest of national security. Authorizes appropriations not to exceed $8,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, $11,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, and $13,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 for the purposes and administration of this Act.

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Documents

3 official files

• Public Law (PDF)

  Public Law · EN · 17 December 1974

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• Public Law

  summary · EN · 16 December 1974

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• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 18 January 1973

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