Fifty years after the Safe Drinking Water Act became law, millions still lack reliable access to clean water, particularly in marginalized communities and small towns.
Brett Walton reports for Circle of Blue.
In short:
- The 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act provided national standards for tap water safety, benefiting most Americans.
- Challenges remain, including aging infrastructure, climate impacts and disparities affecting Black and Hispanic communities.
- Small water systems struggle with compliance, and some experts argue the EPA should prioritize infrastructure reliability over new contaminant regulations.
Key quote:
“You can’t talk about the future of safe drinking water without talking about how to pay for it.”
— Rob Greer, Texas A&M University
Why this matters:
While the law improved water quality for many, millions of Americans, especially in low-income or rural areas, still face unsafe drinking water. Funding for infrastructure repairs and equitable access is crucial to ensure everyone can trust the water coming from their taps.
Related: More than half the world lacks safe drinking water at home
