Which agency establishes and monitors water quality standards?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the agency responsible for establishing and monitoring water quality standards in the United States. The EPA is tasked with protecting human health and the environment, and one of its primary responsibilities involves overseeing the quality of water in various contexts, including drinking water, surface water, and groundwater. This includes setting regulatory standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act, which ensures that public water systems provide safe and clean drinking water.

The EPA conducts assessments, enforces regulations, and provides guidance to local and state agencies on water quality, which is essential for public health and environmental protection. This focus on water quality is vital, as it directly impacts the health and safety of communities.

In contrast, the other options have different primary responsibilities. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) primarily regulates food safety and pharmaceuticals, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) focuses on agriculture, food production, and nutrition, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is involved in public health and disease control but does not oversee water quality standards.