The SDWA Amendments of 1996 (PL 104-182) establish a new charter for the nation's public water systems, States, and the Environmental Protection Agency in protecting the safety of drinking water. The Amendments include among other things, new prevention approaches, improved consumer information, changes to improve the regulatory program, and funding for States and local water systems. President Clinton signed the Amendments on August 6, 1996. Copies are available from the Government Printing Office (phone 202-512-1808; fax 202-512-2250).

The regulations under the SDWA can be found under 40 CFR Part 141. Due to the length of Part 141, the regulations have not been incorporated into the Laboratory Waste Management Manual. Laboratory operators who believe their facility is subject to these requirements are encouraged to review the regulations. For additional information on lead in drinking water, facility operators can consult the, "Lead in Drinking Water - Schools/Non-residential" manual, which can be found on the EPA - Office of Administration Web site, under Multimedia Laboratory. The manual demonstrates how drinking water in schools and non-residential buildings can be tested for lead and how contamination problems can be corrected if found.

The SDWA applies to public water systems. "Public water system or PWS" means a system for the provision to the public of piped water for human consumption, if such system has at least fifteen service connections or regularly serves an average of at least twenty-five individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year. Such term includes (1) any collection, treatment, storage, and distribution facilities under control of the operator of such system and used primarily in connection with such system, and (2) any collection or pretreatment storage facilities not under such control which are used primarily in connection with such system. A public water system is either a "community water system" or a "noncommunity water system."