Which type of wells are NOT covered by the amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act?

Private wells are not covered by the amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act because this legislation primarily focuses on public water systems that serve communities, such as municipal wells and other public drinking water systems. The act establishes standards and regulations to ensure safe drinking water for the public, specifically in systems that supply water to multiple households or businesses.

Private wells, on the other hand, are typically the responsibility of individual property owners. Since these wells do not serve the public at large and operate independently, they fall outside the scope of federal regulations established by the Safe Drinking Water Act. This distinction is important because it emphasizes the personal responsibility of well owners to ensure the safety and quality of their groundwater supply, rather than relying on federal oversight.

In contrast, municipal wells, county reservoirs, and public water systems are all part of a collective effort to provide potable water to larger populations, thus making them subject to the safe drinking water standards set forth by the act.