Which organization typically provides oversight for water safety and backflow prevention regulations?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the organization that provides oversight for water safety and backflow prevention regulations on a national level. It is responsible for establishing and enforcing standards that ensure the safety of drinking water, which includes regulations regarding backflow prevention to protect against contamination of the water supply.

The EPA's guidelines help to maintain safe water systems and encourage states and local governments to adopt and enforce their own regulations in line with federal standards. This central role in regulating water safety contributes to public health and environmental protection.

Other organizations, such as local health departments and building code enforcement, play important roles in specific contexts, such as local health inspections and building compliance, but they operate under the broader framework and regulations provided by the EPA. The fire department focuses on fire safety and emergency services, which is not directly related to water safety or backflow prevention.