Safe Drinking Water Act, Explained

Safe Drinking Water Act, Explained

Author: Environmental Law Institute April 30, 2025 Duration: 40:42

In this installment of the People Places Planet Explained Series, host Dara Albrecht is joined by Robin Rotman, Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri, and Camille Pannu, Associate Professor at Columbia Law School and Director of the Environmental and Climate Justice Clinic, to break down the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)—the cornerstone law protecting America's drinking water.

 

The conversation covers SDWA’s origins, its regulatory reach over public water systems, and the emerging challenges tied to small system compliance, contaminants like PFAS, and growing infrastructure needs. Rotman and Pannu explain key concepts such as maximum contaminant levels, variances, citizen suits, and the relationship between SDWA and the Clean Water Act. They also discuss notable cases like Des Moines Water Works and Flint, Michigan, and examine how funding limitations and legal battles shape drinking water protections today. Looking forward, they reflect on future developments in private well regulation, point-of-use treatment technologies, and technical assistance for vulnerable communities.

 

This episode offers an essential primer for anyone interested in how public health, environmental law, and infrastructure converge at the tap.

Correction: The percentage of homes not on a regulated water system in the United States is roughly 15 to 20 percent, not 30 percent as cited in a former version of this episode.

★ Support this podcast ★

Produced by the Environmental Law Institute, People Places Planet is a conversation grounded in the practical realities of environmental stewardship. This podcast moves beyond abstract theory to explore how laws, policies, and innovative governance models are actively applied. Each episode features discussions with practitioners, scientists, legal experts, and community leaders who are directly engaged in crafting and implementing solutions. You’ll hear nuanced analysis on the intersection of business, regulation, and education, focusing on tangible outcomes rather than just identifying problems. The dialogue consistently centers on how complex frameworks operate in the real world, affecting specific communities, ecosystems, and industries. Listening provides a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that drive environmental progress and the challenges that arise at the intersection of human activity and planetary health. It’s an essential resource for anyone curious about the foundational rules and creative strategies shaping our relationship with the environment, offering clarity on the legal and policy threads woven through every environmental issue. Tune in for thoughtful, expert-driven perspectives that connect the dots between policy texts and their impact on the ground.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

People Places Planet
Podcast Episodes
Finding Common Language: Communicating about Environmental Law [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:57
Environmental law is complex, technical, and often inaccessible to the very people it’s meant to protect. In this special episode of People, Places, Planet, host Dara Albrecht sits down with members of the ELI podcast te…
CERCLA, Explained [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:06
What is CERCLA, and why does it matter for environmental law and justice? In this episode of People, Places, Planet, host Dara Albrecht sits down with environmental law veterans Mike McLaughlin, Sam Boxerman, and Jack Ra…
Wading into a Warmer Future: Developing Climate Resilient Wetlands [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:23
Wetlands play a critical role in protecting communities from climate change, but restoring and sustaining them in a shifting climate is no easy task. In this episode of People, Places, Planet, host Dara Albrecht examines…
When the Water Comes: Managing Sea Level Rise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:34
In this episode of People Places Planet, host Dara Albrecht is joined by Jeffrey Peterson, environmental policy expert and author of A New Coast: Strategies for Responding to Devastating Storms and Rising Seas. Together,…
Food Waste Prevention Week: Highlighting Changemakers in Nashville [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:25
In this special episode of People Places Planet, host Dara Albrecht and ELI Senior Attorney Linda Breggin take us to Nashville for Food Waste Prevention Week, where local leaders across sectors are driving innovative eff…
Clear Skies Ahead: Reducing Bird-Building Collisions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:31
Each year, around one billion birds die from collisions with buildings in the United States—an alarming but preventable crisis driven by modern glass architecture. In this episode of People Places Planet, host Dara Albre…
Environmental Defenders: On the Frontlines of Conservation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:24
Environmental defenders play a critical role in safeguarding natural resources and advocating for human rights, yet they face severe threats—including harassment, violence, and even murder. In this episode of People Plac…