But what happens when your tap water is anything BUT clean?
Such is the story of Flint, Mich. The country has watched the town of Flint struggle for a basic right that most of us take for granted -- safe drinking water.
According to CNN, a money-saving option regarding the town’s water supply was devised more than two years ago in which the state of Michigan made a crafty switch. The source of the community’s water supply was changed from the famous waters of Lake Huron to the dirty waters of the Flint River.
The result can be described with just one word: dangerous. And the town’s people are paying for this disaster repeatedly.
Residents were originally told that the change would be temporary. In the meantime, the state said that it would work on creating a new water connection to funnel the water supply from Lake Huron once again. This, in turn, would be run by the state.
Flint residents were more than shocked by this news. In fact, they were appalled because of the filthy nature of the river itself. "We thought it was a joke," Flint resident Rhonda Kelso tells CNN. "People my age and older, thought 'They're not going to do that.'"
As the project unfolded, residents got an even bigger surprise. That surprise was that the temporary water supply simply wasn’t right. In fact, CNN says that residents complained that the new water supply had a dirty appearance. And its smell and taste were just as repulsive.
"The water would come in brown, and my daughter was like 'Mom…why is the water brown?'" Kelso tells CNN.
The underlying issue was found to be something that many of us never think about: iron. CNN reports that researchers from Virginia Tech warned that the Flint River is “highly corrosive.” However, no one took steps to investigate. As a result, the problem continued to plague residents.
Lead in Flint
Unfortunately, this was just the first of the issues that those who live in Flint faced. Roughly 50 percent of the service lines that reach Flint homes contain lead.
Consequently, improper water treatment paved the way to a horrifying reality. There was a concerning amount of lead in the water supply.
But state officials disputed this horrifying evidence, saying that “their own research was more accurate.” Residents were not informed of the issue for a year and a half. And, according to CNN, the truth was not uncovered until a Flint doctor stepped up to the plate.
This led Kelso and several other families to file a class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit claims that improperly treated water has exposed residents to lead poisoning and other medical concerns.
The scary thing is that the crisis has yet to be solved. According to The Atlantic City Lab, plans are being considered, but the issue still looms in the community.
Even more concerning, kids are paying the price for these careless mishaps. Lead poisoning has become a reality among children in the community of Flint. And some of the consequences associated with this health crisis are considered long-term.
But that’s not all. The simple use of water for hygienic purposes has brought about rashes in some residents. In other words, a simple shower could lead to this frustrating health consequence.
Here’s the thing: Flint isn’t the only community that has been affected by dangerous ingredients in drinking water. According to HutchNews.org, water testing has found carcinogens in the water supplies of three different states.
Other States' Water Woes
For starters, in Texas, arsenic has been found in some water supplies. And in New Jersey, a chemical called dioxane was found in the water supplies of more than 12 towns located near the Wanaque Reservoir as a result of industrial waste runoff. The chemical can cause kidney and liver failure in extremely high doses. North Carolina has also been added to the list due to the presence of haloacetic acids in the water of some areas. According to LiveStrong.com, these chemicals may cause skin irritation and increase cancer risk.
What About Your Water?
This has brought many Americans to ask two important questions: How do you investigate the water quality in your home? And how do you find out if you have a lead problem, like the one in Flint?
According to Consumer Reports, lead comes into contact with drinking water through old or corroded pipes. However, it can't be seen, tasted or smelled. So you’ve got to know how the water system works to research its contents.
Generally speaking, there are standards regarding water safety. If something does go wrong in a water system, experts should inform the residents affected. Consumer Reports advises that your July water bill should give you a water-quality report. And you can read water company reports through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Further, you should know that lead problems may not have anything to do with the water supply of your community because the pipes in your home can play a part in this process. This is why Consumer Reports says that a lab should test your water if the home was constructed before 1986, when lead-free pipes became a required building mandate. You also can buy a home test at any home improvement store for approximately $10 to check for yourself.
Consumer Reports says that lead levels higher than 150 parts per billion mark the number at which experts become concerned. If your lead levels reach this amount, call your local health department to report the findings. However, if lead levels are not this high, you can use a water filter to add safety to your water supply. Consumer Reports has tested options and recommends two choices: the Clear2O carafe and Culligan filter FM-15A.
Plus, you need to know that boiling water isn’t a fix for the problem. In fact, hot water is said to have higher lead levels. Experts advise consumers to use cold water from the faucet if there is a problem.
And when it comes to carcinogens, action should also be taken. In this case, experts say that bottled water should be used until the issue is solved.