About the Drinking Water Program
- In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act that directed
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish minimum
drinking water standards.
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The Act was amended in 1986, and in 1996 to enhance minium drinking
water standards.
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The EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water set national health-based
drinking water standards to protect the public from both naturally-occurring
and man-made contaminants that may be found in drinking water.
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The Drinking Water Section in EPA Region 6's Water Quality Protection
Division has oversight responsibilities for the public water supply
in Region 6 States and Tribes.
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All Region 6 States: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and
Texas, have primacy to implement the Safe Drinking Water Act (SWDA).
The Drinking Water Section implements SDWA on the Tribal lands in
Region 6.
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The Drinking Water Section has a Drinking Water Coordinator for each
Region 6 State. All Coordinators have an understanding of drinking
water issues in their State. State Agencies and drinking water program
managers can respond to specific questions and provide additional
details about public water systems in their State.
- Q: Who has the responsibility in my community for my drinking
water?
A: You can check your water bill or call your local public health
department for information about the water utility that serves your
community. Also, most larger cities in the U.S. have a public utilities
office that can answer consumer questions.
- Q: Where can I get information about violations at my drinking
water system?
A: Drinking water violations at your drinking water system are listed on EPA's website.
- Q: Where can I get information about national drinking water
standards?
A: National health-based drinking
water standards are listed on EPA's website.
- Q: How can I get information about my drinking water from EPA,
Region 6?
A: You can contact Blake L. Atkins, Chief of the Drinking Water Section, at (214) 665-7155,
who is responsible for oversight of the Region 6 State Drinking
Water programs.
- Each State in the Region has an EPA Drinking Water Coordinator:
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- Q: What if I have my own private drinking water well?
A: EPA does not regulate private wells, although some state and local
governments do set rules to protect users of these wells. EPA encourages
these households to take special precautions to ensure the protection
and maintenance of their drinking water supplies. Ensuring that
these sources provide safe drinking water is the responsibility
of the well owner. EPA has guidance for private
domestic well owners available on it's web site.
- Q: Where can I get information about drinking water in my State?
A: All States within EPA Region 6 have contacts to whom you can address
questions. These contacts are:
- Q: Who do I contact in Region 6 about the Source
Water Assessment and Protection Programs?
A: EPA Region 6 SWAP Coordinator, Ken Williams,
(214) 665-7129
- Q: Who do I contact in Region 6 for drinking water rules and
regulations or program areas?
A: EPA Region 6 Drinking Water contacts are listed by going to the
links below:
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- Q: Where do I get information related to water system security
or homeland security?
A: This information can be found at:
- Q: Where can I obtain drinking water information on tribal
lands?
A: Information on the tribal
source water assessment reports and the tribal
drinking water laboratory results are available on the Region 6 website. The following links also provide additional information:
- Q: Where can I find information about Drinking Water Week?
A: The American Water Works Association, an organization of drinking
water professionals, has promoted Drinking
Water Week 
for
the past 30 years. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
is participating as a member of the National Drinking Water Week
Alliance. This group is responsible for heightening the awareness
of drinking water issues during a week long observance, which always
falls the first full week of May. This week is an annual time that
water providers and their communities recognize the vital role of
water in our daily life.
The EPA has educational materials supporting this week. The EPA Region 6 Office promotes this awareness by participating in local activities to enhance this awareness to elementary through high school students.
- Q: Where can I obtain additional information about drinking
water?
A: Additional information is available from many sources. Some excellent
resources include the following:
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Drinking Water Ground
Water Underground Injection
Control
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