Legislation/Regulation -- Involving the Public in Developing Regulations (PDF)

The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is charged by the US Congress with administering the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) for the purpose of protecting public health and welfare. Under the authority of the SDWA the agency establishes regulations that apply to US public water systems. New regulations are set by USEPA in accordance with the requirements of the SDWA.1 Public involvement in the development of regulations is recognized by USEPA and others as an important aspect of the regulatory process. But getting involved in the regulatory process can be frustrating unless you know how to make your voice heard. How federal drinking water regulations are developed has been discussed previously.2 How the public can participate in the process is the subject of this article.