Which characteristic is not included in the standards set by the Safe Drinking Water Act?

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) establishes federal standards for drinking water quality to ensure safe and reliable public water supplies. The act is focused on protecting human health by regulating physical, chemical, and bacteriological characteristics of drinking water, which are critical for assessing water safety and quality.

Physical characteristics include parameters such as turbidity, color, and taste that can affect the aesthetic quality of drinking water. Chemical characteristics involve the presence of harmful substances like lead, chlorine, and nitrates, which can pose health risks if consumed in significant amounts. Bacteriological characteristics refer to the presence of pathogens in water, such as bacteria and viruses, which can lead to serious health problems.

Thermal characteristics, however, are not part of the regulatory parameters established by the SDWA. While temperature can influence the growth of microorganisms and chemical reactions in water, it is not considered a direct standard for safe drinking water under the act. Thus, thermal characteristics are excluded from the standards set by the Safe Drinking Water Act, affirming that the correct answer is indeed the characteristic that is not included in those standards.