Region 8
Drinking Water Regulations
EPA Headquarters Information
Related Region 8 Information
Drinking water regulations were established with the creation of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), which applies to every public water system in the United States. There are currently more than 170,000 public water systems providing water to almost all Americans at some time in their lives. Please visit the Safe Drinking Water (SDWA) and the Drinking Water Contaminants web sites for more information.
Public water systems provide water to at least 25 persons at least 60 days out of the year. Most cities and towns, schools, businesses, campgrounds, and shopping malls are served by public water systems.
The SDWA provides regulations for more than 80 drinking water contaminants. Additionally, each group of contaminants has varying standards, sampling frequencies and procedures, sampling point locations, reporting requirements, and public notification requirements. For specific information on these standards and requirements, please go to the rule/contaminant of interest.
- Arsenic in Drinking Water
- Asbestos
- Consumer Confidence Reports
- Ground Water Rule
- Inorganic Chemicals
- Lead and Copper Rule
- LT1 Surface Water Treatment Rule
- LT2 Surface Water Treatment Rule
- Nitrates and Nitrites
- Organic Chemicals (SOCs & VOCs)
- Radionuclides in Drinking Water
- Radon in Drinking Water
- Public Notification (PN)
- Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
- Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproduct Rule
- Total Coliform Rule