In what year was The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) established?

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was established in 1974, making this the correct answer. The SDWA was a significant piece of legislation designed to protect public health by regulating the nation's public drinking water supply. This act empowered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set federal standards for drinking water quality and to oversee the states, localities, and water suppliers that implement those standards. The establishment of the SDWA aimed to ensure safe and reliable drinking water, reflecting growing public concern over water quality and its impact on health during that period.

Understanding the timing of the SDWA's enactment is crucial, as it marked a pivotal moment in the United States' efforts to enhance environmental health protections, especially in response to increasing industrial pollution and concerns about waterborne diseases.