EPA Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Safe Drinking Water Act

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted a gathering of water professionals with speakers and refreshments at its downtown headquarters in Washington, D.C. The event, held on Monday, December 16th, aimed to highlight the progress that SDWA brought for safe drinking water so far while outlining the work that still needs to be done.

Bruno Pigott, the acting Assistant Administrator for Water at EPA, opened the event with remarks that celebrated 50 years of drinking water. Specifically, he highlighted some drinking water milestones from the past four years, which include the release of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) and official regulations for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). After Assistant Administrator Pigott spoke, Rep. Debbie Dingell from Michigan’s Sixth District and Rep. Dan Kildee from Michigan’s Eighth District spoke. Each of them highlighted the challenges that Michigan faces with drinking water, particularly the Flint, Michigan water crisis. They also celebrated the progress that the LCRI will make for their state by mandating the removal of all lead service lines within a decade. The final elected official to speak was Sen. Tom Carper from Delaware, who was a key architect of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that provided funding for many drinking water initiatives since its passage. 

Finally, the Director of EPA’s Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Jennifer McLain, moderated a panel discussion with three leaders in the water sector from around the country. Their discussion highlighted perspectives of the past and future of drinking water from people who worked and continue to work on the ground in the sector every day.

ASDWA joins EPA in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act. To hear from some of our members on the importance of this anniversary, go to our LinkedIn.