Safe Drinking Water Act

Safe Drinking Water Act - Provides, under the Public Health Service Act, a program for the safety of public water systems. Sets forth the definitions of terms used in this Act. Describes the exceptions to which the regulations of this Act shall not apply.

Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to publish drinking water regulations. Prescribes a timetable for the issuance of such regulations. Requires such regulations to specify a maximum contaminant level for each contaminant for which a maximum level has been published.

Prescribes the enforcement responsibilities of States for public water systems. Empowers the Administrator to bring a civil action when a State fails to assure enforcement of drinking water regulations.

Provides that a State may authorize a variance from the requirements. Specifies the circumstances under which such variances are allowed.

Sets forth regulations for State programs for the protection of underground sources of drinking water.

Authorizes the Administrator to take emergency action when there is endangerment to the health of persons and State or local authorities have not acted. Authorizes the Administrator to carry out research, render technical and financial assistance, and aid in the training of personnel in conjunction with public water supply programs.

Authorizes to be appropriated for grants to States to carry out State public water system supervision programs $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 and $7,500,000 for fiscal year 1976. Provides for the allocation of such funds. Authorizes $7,500,000, $7,500,000 and $10,000,000 for fiscal years 1974, 1975 and 1976 to make grants for special studies and demonstration projects.

Sets forth the requirements to be followed in maintaining records of programs and in authorizing inspections of facilities.

Establishes the National Drinking Water Advisory Council to advise the Administrator on matters relating to this Act.

Directs the Administrator to conduct surveys into the availability of rural water supplies. Authorizes $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1974; $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1975; and $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 for such purposes.