Admendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) passed by Congress in 1986 requires the EPA to set drinking water standards for 83 contaminants listed in the Act. To date, the Agency has promulgated National Primary Drinking Water Standards for Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs), fluoride, coliform and other microbiological contaminants, 50 Synthetic Organic chemicals (SOCs), Inorganic Chemicals (IOCs) and lead and copper.

The first set of 8 volatile organic chemicals were regulated under Phase I, which became effective January 9, 1989. Monitoring for these contaminants was not required until four years later.

Phase II required monitoring by public water systmes for 30 organic and inorganic contaminants in 1992. Although the legislation came three years later, monitoring was to begin at the same time as Phase I, January 1, 1993. A major component of Phase II was the implementation of the Standardized Monitoring Framework. The framework synchronized compliance monitoring across several present and upcoming rules.

In 1994, 23 new organic and inorganic contaminants were placed on the regulatory list by Phase V. Monitoring requirements make use of the Standardized Monitoring Framework created in Phase II.

The EPA also has two other drinking water regulations, one for total coliform and another other for lead and copper. The Total Coliform Rule requires public water treatment systems to test for Coliform bacteria which may indicate disease causing bacteria. The Lead and Copper Rule sets maxium allowable levels of these contaminants at the consumer's tap.

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