2024 is the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the landmark federal legislation designed to protect public health by regulating the quality of drinking water in the United States.

This episode features a discussion with Alan Roberson, Executive Director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators.

He explores the state of America’s drinking water before the enactment of SDWA, the fundamental changes brought about by the law, and the progress of the past 50 years. Alan highlights how the 1986 and 1996 amendments to SDWA strengthened regulations and expanded the scope of protections.

He also talks about opportunities to improve SDWA and changes that may shape the next 50 years of drinking water safety.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet.

This episode is from a conversation at the Reservoir Center in Washington DC, where waterloop is a media partner.