What legislation serves as the most significant federal law affecting the water utility sector?

The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 is the most significant federal law that specifically addresses the water utility sector. This legislation was enacted to protect public health by regulating the nation’s public drinking water supply. It empowers the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish national health-based standards for drinking water to ensure that it is safe for human consumption.

This law covers various aspects of water quality management, including the setting of standards for drinking water contaminant levels, monitoring drinking water quality, and the treatment of water to remove harmful substances. The Safe Drinking Water Act also emphasizes the importance of maintaining infrastructure and mandates comprehensive planning for drinking water source protection.

In contrast, the other legislative acts mentioned focus on different aspects of environmental regulation: the Clean Air Act primarily addresses air quality and emissions reductions; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act primarily deals with the regulation of pollutant discharges into navigable waters; and the Water Resources Development Act mainly concerns the development and management of water resources for navigation, flood control, and ecosystem restoration without specifically targeting drinking water quality. Thus, the Safe Drinking Water Act stands out as the cornerstone legislation for safeguarding drinking water and directly influencing the water utility sector.