Which act introduced a program to protect both groundwater and surface water from pollution?

The Safe Drinking Water Act, passed in 1975, aims to protect public health by regulating the nation's public drinking water supply. One of its critical components is the establishment of criteria and standards to safeguard both groundwater and surface water sources from contaminants that could affect drinking water quality. This act empowers the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set minimum standards for drinking water quality and requires states to enforce these standards.

While other acts such as the Clean Water Act and the Water Quality Act focus primarily on the quality of water bodies and their health, the Safe Drinking Water Act specifically addresses the protection of water that is intended for human consumption, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding all water sources from pollution that could compromise health. In essence, it provides a comprehensive framework to ensure safe drinking water by monitoring and controlling the pollutants that might affect it.