Which federal agency is responsible for regulating drinking water quality in the United States?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for regulating drinking water quality in the United States. The EPA sets national standards for drinking water to ensure its safety and maintains the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), which provides the framework for regulating contaminant levels in public water systems. The agency’s guidelines and regulations help protect public health by controlling pollutants that could affect drinking water quality.

The other agencies mentioned have different focuses: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the safety of food and beverages, including bottled water, but does not regulate the quality of tap water; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) works on public health issues, including waterborne diseases, but does not set water quality standards; and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) focuses on workplace safety and health regulations, which do not pertain to drinking water.