Which act established a maximum contamination level for lead in drinking water?

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the legislation that established a maximum contamination level for lead in drinking water. This act was enacted to protect public health by regulating the nation's public drinking water supply. Under the SDWA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is given the authority to set standards for drinking water quality and to oversee the states, localities, and water suppliers who implement those standards.

The act specifically mandates that contaminants, including lead, must not exceed certain levels to ensure safety for consumers. This regulatory framework acknowledges the health risks associated with lead exposure, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women, and aims to reduce these risks by imposing strict guidelines.

Other options, such as the Lead Safety Act and the Drinking Water Protection Act, may address issues related to lead or drinking water safety but do not establish the maximum contamination levels that the SDWA does. The Environmental Quality Improvement Act focuses more on overall environmental health rather than specific standards for drinking water contaminants. Thus, the SDWA remains the definitive legislation for setting maximum contamination levels of substances like lead in drinking water.