Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
contaminant that may be in drinking water. Primary standards—maximum
contamination levels (MCLs), which apply to substances that may have an
adverse effect on health, are enforced by the states and must be complied with.
Secondary standards, which provide guidelines on substances that affect color,
taste, smell, and other physical characteristics of water, are advisory. Both
types of standards are established by the EPA but enforced by the states.
The primary standards (MCLs) established included fluoride, arsenic, a
variety of pesticides, mercury, lead, nitrates, and several additional inorganic
and organic chemicals.
The intent of the SDWA was to fill the gap left by the enactment of the
Clean Water Act (CWA) passed two years earlier. While the CWA was passed
to clean up and protect streams and other surface waters, SDWA was intended
to protect underground water sources.
The Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996 (PL 104-182)
established a new charter for the nation's public water system, states, and the
EPA in protecting the safety of drinking water. The amendments include,
among other things, new prevention approaches, improved consumer
information, changes to improve the regulatory program, and funding for
states and local water systems.
H . CLEAN WATER ACT (1972)
The Clean Water Act (CWA) provides the legislative vehicle for regulat-
ing the discharge of non-toxic and toxic pollutants into surface waters by mu-
nicipal sources, industrial sources, and other specific and non-specific sources.
The act's ultimate goal is to eliminate all discharges of pollutants into
surface waters. Its interim goal is to make all waters in the United States us-
able for fishing and swimming.
In 1987, the CWA was extensively amended. The amendments also set
up programs to reduce polluted runoff from “non-point” sources, such as city
streets, farm land, and mining sites.
I.
RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND RECOVERY ACT
(1976)
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulates the gen-
eration, treatment, storage, transportation and disposal of hazardous wastes,
including pesticide wastes that may create a hazard. Pesticide-containing
wastes that are considered hazardous wastes under RCRA are subject to exten-
sive regulatory requirements governing storage, transportation, treatment, and
disposal.
