Which agency is responsible for drinking water safety and quality standards?

• A. FDA
• B. NOAA
• C. EPA
• D. USDA

Answer: (C)

Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA sets nationwide drinking water safety and quality standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act, establishing maximum contaminant levels, treatment requirements, and monitoring and reporting rules for public water systems to ensure safe drinking water. It works with states that have primacy to implement and enforce these standards. FDA regulates bottled water and certain food-related water uses, but the overarching public drinking water standards come from the EPA. NOAA and USDA don’t set national drinking water standards.