AWWA JAW28829

The Safe Drinking Water Act is the primary law regulating drinking water in the United States. Congressional reauthorization of the SDWA is slated for the 102nd Congress, and as part of the process, changes in the law are likely. This article briefly examines how reauthorization works and what changes might be considered in new amendments. Compliance at the tap, specification of a best available technology, compliance time frames, operator certification, triennial requirement to regulate 25 new contaminants, public notification, and federal control of local surcharges to fund SDWA changes are up for consideration. Reauthorization is not expected until 1991 or 1992; interim funding will be provided through the federal appropriations process.