The 1975 Safe Drinking Water Act is primarily concerned with safeguarding what?

The focus of the 1975 Safe Drinking Water Act is primarily on protecting groundwater and surface water from pollution to ensure the safety of drinking water. This legislation was designed to set national standards for drinking water quality and to regulate the contaminants that could endanger public health.

The Act emphasizes the importance of both groundwater— which is a vital source of drinking water for many communities—and surface water, which can be directly affected by pollutants from various sources. By establishing criteria for safe drinking water, the Act aims to safeguard these water sources from harmful substances, thus ensuring that the drinking water supply remains clean and safe for public consumption.

Conflict with the other options also highlights the specific focus of the Act; for instance, while surface water quality is a concern, the comprehensive nature of the Act encompasses broader pollution issues affecting both groundwater and surface water rather than exclusively addressing one or the other. Similarly, while coastal waters and air quality impact ecosystems and human health, they fall outside the primary scope of the Safe Drinking Water Act, which centers specifically on the drinking water supply.