What organization sets the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) for water quality?

The organization responsible for setting the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) for water quality is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA establishes these standards to protect public health by regulating the levels of specific contaminants in drinking water. MCLs are enforceable limits that ensure the water supply is safe for consumption, taking into account both the health effects of contaminants and the feasibility of treatment technologies.

The EPA conducts extensive research and monitoring to determine what levels of various contaminants are acceptable, balancing health risks with practical treatment options. Their guidelines play a crucial role in safeguarding drinking water across the United States.

While other organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), provide valuable recommendations and research on public health and water quality, it is the EPA that has the authority to set and enforce the legal limits for contaminants in drinking water. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) does enforce regulations at the state level and may adopt more stringent standards, but the overarching authority for MCLs at the federal level resides with the EPA.