Federal Standards:
Federal Standards area set by the Environmental Protection Agency and are the minimum quality levels allowed for public drinking water in the United States.

State Standards:
State Standards must be at least as stringent as those developed by the EPA.  In the state of Delaware, these standards are overseen by the Office of Drinking Water, a department in the Division of Public Health.  The ODW is responsible for ensuring compliance with the most rigorous standards in effect for each possible contaminant.

Local/Municipal Standards:
Local Standards, as with state standards, must be at least as stringent as EPA standards.  United Water of Delaware and the City of Newark are responsible for testing and treating their water as needed in order to meet the standards.