Adequacy of EPA Resources and Authority To Carry Out Drinking Water Program Activities
CED-81-58
Published: Apr 23, 1981. Publicly Released: Apr 23, 1981.
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Highlights
The Safe Drinking Water Act was passed in 1974 to safeguard public drinking water supplies and to protect the public health. The act directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish national drinking water regulations which set purity standards for drinking water. It also authorized EPA to grant states primary responsibility, or primacy, for enforcing the regulations and standards. GAO reviewed the Safe Drinking Water Program administered by EPA. Two items merit attention: (1) the adequacy of resources available for selected Safe Drinking Water Program activities; and (2) the need to clarify EPA authority to carry out the activities of the Program.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| The House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works should consider proposing amendments to the act which would clarify EPA authority to undertake the day-to-day operations of a drinking water program in nonprimacy states. Furthermore, should it be decided that EPA is authorized to undertake such a program, additional resources may be required to enable EPA to provide the same program coverage as it requires of the primacy states. | The House and Senate Committees believe that EPA authority, under the Safe Drinking Water Act, to administer the drinking water program in nonprimary states is sufficient and that no clarification is needed. | |
| The House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works should consider proposing amendments to the act which would clarify EPA authority to undertake the day-to-day operations of a drinking water program in nonprimacy states. Furthermore, should it be decided that EPA is authorized to undertake such a program, additional resources may be required to enable EPA to provide the same program coverage as it requires of the primacy states. | The House and Senate Committees believe that EPA authority, under the Safe Drinking Water Act, to administer the drinking water program in nonprimary states is sufficient and that no clarification is needed. |
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Topics
Environmental policiesInvestigations into federal agenciesPotable waterProgram evaluationPublic health legislationRegulatory agenciesWater pollution controlWater qualityWater resources developmentSafe drinking water