Rising uncertainty over the quality and safety of tap water in the United States has sparked debates over whether or not a filter is necessary. 

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Environmental Protection Agency regulates more than 90 contaminants and requires treatment measures such as disinfection, helping ensure that the vast majority of Americans have access to safe drinking water.

In a recent coverage by ABCNews, Gregory Pierce, director of the Human Right to Water Solutions Lab, urged consumers to approach filtration decisions with caution.

While testing options — including Consumer Confidence Reports, home kits and consultations with local utilities — can help identify potential issues, Pierce emphasized that widespread concern is often unwarranted.

“Unless you’re experiencing health impacts, you’ve got a notice from your water system or there’s a credible media source saying your water is unsafe, you shouldn’t feel the need to get a filter” and that it “shouldn’t be considered necessary to have a water filter in 90-plus percent of the United States.”