Water Nuggets Practice Exam 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the legislation that establishes maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for harmful chemicals in drinking water. This law, enacted in 1974 and updated periodically, aims to protect public health by regulating the nation's public drinking water supply. Under this act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is tasked with setting standards for water quality, including permissible limits on contaminants.

The Disinfection By Product Rule relates specifically to particular byproducts formed when disinfectants are added to drinking water, while the Surface Treatment Water Rule focuses on the treatment of surface water sources to reduce pathogen contamination. Neither rule establishes broad maximum contaminant levels for all harmful chemicals, as the Safe Drinking Water Act does.

The option referencing "O'doyle Rules" is not a relevant or recognized rule related to water quality regulation. This reinforces the understanding that the Safe Drinking Water Act is the comprehensive federal law addressing MCLs, ensuring the safety of drinking water across the United States.