PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 20, 2024
This month, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Safe Drinking Water Act. On Dec. 16, 1974, President Gerald Ford signed the act into law, which created a standards playbook for all public water utilities set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Nearly 150,000 public water systems operate in the United States, providing water to about 90% of Americans. All of them are subject to the regulations in the Safe Drinking Water Act. The act set off unprecedented investments in water treatment facilities across the country to meet the new regulations. This anniversary marks a reason for celebration, not just of the Safe Drinking Water Act, but also of the people dedicated to ensuring high-quality water reaches your tap when you need it. ~ Michael Cummons, Maine Water Utilities Association