The Safe Drinking Water Act has set water quality standards for which categories?

The Safe Drinking Water Act is a fundamental piece of legislation in the United States that establishes quality standards for drinking water to protect public health. This law encompasses a comprehensive framework that includes multiple categories of water quality standards, specifically physical, chemical, radiological, and bacteriological parameters.

Physical standards refer to the characteristics of water that can influence its aesthetic quality—such as turbidity, color, and temperature. Chemical standards address substances that can be harmful to health or the environment, including a wide array of chemicals like lead, nitrates, and pesticides. Radiological standards cover the presence of radioactive substances, which can pose significant health risks. Finally, bacteriological standards focus on biological contaminants, particularly pathogens that can cause disease, such as coliform bacteria.

By establishing standards across these diverse categories, the Safe Drinking Water Act aims to ensure that the water supply is safe for consumption and protects the health of the public, addressing both immediate concerns (like pathogens) and long-term risks (like contaminants that can accumulate over time). This comprehensive approach is essential for maintaining safe drinking water and safeguarding public health, making the chosen answer both accurate and informative.