Name the primary regulatory body for groundwater in the U.S.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the primary regulatory body for groundwater in the United States. The EPA is responsible for implementing federal laws designed to protect the environment and public health, and this includes overseeing the management and quality of groundwater resources. Among its many duties, the EPA enforces regulations on the Safe Drinking Water Act, which sets standards for drinking water quality and aims to protect both surface water and groundwater sources. The agency develops guidelines and provides resources to ensure that groundwater is not contaminated and that it remains safe for human consumption and ecological health.

In contrast, other organizations like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) focus more on food safety and drug efficacy rather than direct groundwater management. The United States Geological Survey (USGS), while it conducts vital research and collects scientific data on water resources, does not have regulatory authority over groundwater. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) primarily deals with weather, oceans, and atmospheric conditions, making it less relevant to groundwater regulations. Thus, the EPA stands out as the regulatory body charged with overseeing groundwater protection and policy in the U.S.