What legislation regulates drinking water quality in the United States?

The Safe Drinking Water Act is the correct answer because it specifically addresses and regulates the quality of drinking water in the United States. Enacted in 1974, this legislation aims to protect public health by ensuring that the nation’s drinking water supply is safe and meets established standards. It provides the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the authority to establish national health-based standards for drinking water to protect against both naturally occurring and man-made contaminants.

The other options pertain to different aspects of water management and environmental regulation but do not focus specifically on drinking water quality. For instance, the Clean Water Act primarily regulates the discharge of pollutants into waterways to protect the integrity of water resources, while the Water Quality Improvement Act is not a primary legislation focused on drinking water. The Environmental Protection Act, generally associated with environmental protection laws, does not deal directly with water quality issues in the same targeted manner as the Safe Drinking Water Act. Thus, the Safe Drinking Water Act stands out as the essential legislation for ensuring the safety and quality of drinking water in the United States.