Final answer:
The main consequence of related water legislation, including the Water Rights Adjudication Act, was the transformation of water distribution in the West, leading to significant agricultural and urban expansion, as well as increased environmental awareness and policy regarding water quality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main consequence of the Water Rights Adjudication Act and related legislation like the Newlands Reclamation Act was the transformation of water distribution in arid regions of the West, which in turn spurred agricultural and urban development. The legislation established the federal Reclamation Service, which implemented projects such as dams and irrigation systems. Although initially these projects were intended to support family farming, regulations were later modified or ignored, leading to the facilitation of commercial farming and urban expansion, and ultimately contributing to the significant population shift in the Western United States.
Additionally, the Amendment of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) of 1996 provided enhanced protection and assessment of water sources, requiring water companies to supply consumers with water quality reports and allowing states to seek federal money to upgrade water quality processes. This focus on water quality mirrored the increasing awareness of environmental stewardship and the long-term challenges associated with sustaining urban and rural communities in arid areas.