National Primary and Secondary Drinking Water Regulations

National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs or primary standards) are legally enforceable standards that apply to public water systems. Primary standards protect drinking water quality by limiting the levels of specific contaminants that can adversely affect public health and are known or anticipated to occur in public water systems.

National Secondary Water Drinking Regulations (NSDWRs or secondary standards) are non-enforceable guidelines regulating contaminates that may cause cosmetic effects (such as skin or tooth discoloration) or aesthetic effects (such as taste, odor or color) in drinking water.

The EPA recommends secondary standards to water systems but does not require systems to comply; however, states may choose to adopt them as enforceable standards.

Current EPA Drinking Water Standards

Data on Huntsville Area Water