What is one of the principal functions of the Safe Drinking Water Act?

One of the principal functions of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is to establish Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for various contaminants found in drinking water. This regulation is crucial as it sets legally enforceable standards to protect public health by ensuring that the water supplied to consumers is safe to drink. MCLs are established based on scientific assessments and consider both the health risks posed by contaminants and the feasibility of treatment technologies for removing these substances from water supplies. By regulating these levels, the SDWA aims to prevent contamination of water resources and promote the safe delivery of drinking water across the United States.

The other options do not represent the core purpose of the SDWA. While creating treatment plants may be part of a broader initiative to improve water quality, it is not a specific function of the Act itself. Inspections of private wells often fall under state or local regulations rather than being a direct statutory requirement of the SDWA. Assigning water usage rights is also not within the scope of the SDWA, which primarily focuses on drinking water safety rather than the allocation or rights to water usage.