Which of the following best describes the primary goal of the Safe Drinking Water Act?

The primary goal of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is indeed to ensure clean drinking water for the public. This federal law, enacted in 1974, is designed to protect public health by regulating the nation's public drinking water supply. It establishes regulations and standards for drinking water quality and oversees any potential contaminants that could adversely affect human health. The SDWA empowers the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set and enforce these standards, ultimately aiming to safeguard the water that communities rely on for consumption, cooking, bathing, and other daily needs.

In contrast, the other choices focus on different environmental concerns. Regulating pesticide usage involves agricultural practices and chemical safety rather than directly monitoring drinking water. Monitoring wastewater systems is related to the treatment and disposal of wastewater, which, while critical for public health, does not address drinking water standards directly. Managing stormwater runoff pertains to surface water management and controlling pollution from rainfall, which is important for environmental health but distinct from the drinking water framework set by the SDWA. Thus, the focus of the SDWA on ensuring clean and safe drinking water clearly outlines its primary goal.