Laws, Regulations, & Standards
Safe Drinking Water Act (Federal Law)
- A federal law which ensures safe drinking water for Americans
- Under this law the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets standards for water quality of drinking water and oversees the states, localities, and water suppliers who implement those standards.
- EPA sets standards for approximately 90 contaminants in drinking water
State Safe Drinking Water Act (State Law)
- South Carolina state law that ensures safe drinking water for the citizens of South Carolina.
State Primary Drinking Water Regulations
- South Carolina State Regulations that implement and enforce the State Safe Drinking Water Act.
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
- EPA requires public water systems to meet these standards.
- For a list of contaminants and their maximum contaminant levels (MCL), visit EPA's Drinking Water Contaminants Web site.
- Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water.
National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations (NSDWRs)
- NSDWRs are guidelines for 15 contaminants that may cause cosmetic or aesthetic effects in drinking water (i.e. skin or tooth discoloration, taste, odor, etc.), but pose no known health risk.
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends these secondary standards to public water systems, but does not require water systems to comply.
- States may choose to adopt secondary standards as enforceable standards.
- For more information, visit EPA's Secondary Drinking Water Regulations Web Site
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF)
- SRF funds are loans to assist public water systems with infrastructure improvements.
- EPA awards these grants to states to establish this program.
- For more information, visit DHEC's SRF Web Site or EPA's SRF Web Site.
Fluoridation Grant Program
- Grants to public water systems for assistance in implementing drinking water fluoridation.
- These are federal grants administered by the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control.
- No cash or in-kind matching funds are required from the water system.
- For more information, call (803) 898-4214