An unfortunate and potentially life-threatening situation has a way of thrusting into the spotlight a health or lifestyle issue that may not normally receive much attention.

Right here in Michigan, we are seeing that up close with the water crisis in Flint. Because of repeated governmental and institutional failures, Flint’s water supply was contaminated with lead. The complete impact on the health and welfare of the city’s residents is still uncertain and local and federal officials are scrambling to try and get a handle on this significant public health danger.

Meanwhile, the magnitude of the issue has prompted worry around the nation as people wonder whether their tap water is safe. Some questions that have emerged in communities across the country:

• What is water filtration?
• How can I tell if my water needs filtering?
• Is it safe/recommended to drink public water supply tap water?

Water filtration is a system or process used to filter out particles and pollutants from drinking water. A water filter removes impurities from water by means of a fine physical barrier, a chemical process or a biological process. Water filtration cleanses water to different extents for a variety of purposes, most notably to provide accessible drinking water. Filtration systems use many techniques, including activated carbon charcoal filters, ultraviolet light units and other forms of water treatment. These processes are also used in home filter systems and refrigerators, in which filtered public water pumped into the house is filtered even further.

So, is drinking unfiltered tap water a good idea? Generally speaking in the United States, the answer is yes. Furthermore, the regulations imposed on public water supply entities are usually more stringent than those imposed on private companies that manufacture and sell bottled water products. Still, the recent crisis in Flint has pushed the issue of tap water safety into the public consciousness. If you are worried about the safety of your tap water or you just don’t like the taste of water coming from your faucets, there are a few things you can do. First, schedule a water analysis to find out just what chemicals are present in your water. Once those chemicals are identified and at what levels, you can find the right filtration system to fit your needs. Call Kotz today for more information about analysis of your tap water and water filtration options.