50 years of the Safe Drinking Water Act

This year marks the 50th anniversary not only of Hansen, Allen & Luce but also of the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act.

“SDWA has made an unmistakable positive impact since its passage in December 1974, becoming a pillar of water resources engineering, utility management, and public health policy,” says HAL employee Dr. Rob Sowby, who has written about the subject.

Delmas Johnson, HAL project manager and AWWA Intermountain Section director, says, “There are many pioneering individuals who blazed a path to create circumstances where it would be possible to enact legislation to promote a safe water vision.” On a national level Johnson mentions AWWA’s 1881 founders as well as George Warren Fuller and Dr. John Laing Leal, who were instrumental in early water treatment. On a local level Johnson mentions Charles Wilson and LeRoy Hooten.

“It now becomes clear that we need to carry the torch from them and continue the journey of the safe drinking water legacy,” Johnson says. “The story is not fully written, and the journey continues as water reuse and water conservation are part of the current dialogue. Let’s continue the safe drinking water journey together and pass it to the next generation in good health as we received it.”

Sophia Reyes is one of that next generation. She says, “Climate change is one of my generation’s greatest concerns. My generation worries about water pollution and having access to clean drinking water. As a new engineer entering the field, I am proud to continue serving the public by ensuring communities have safe and clean drinking water.”