January’s Health Reset Starts With Your Water

Why Clean, Safer Drinking Water Should Be at the Top of Your Improvement List

By Krystal Pesch, Senior Director, Portfolio Management, Zurn Elkay

January is a season of fresh starts, healthier routines, smarter choices, and renewed focus on wellness. But one of the most important daily habits often goes overlooked: the water we drink.

Hydration fuels nearly every function in the body, yet many households assume their water is safe simply because it looks clear or tastes “fine.” Unfortunately, the most concerning contaminants in drinking water are often completely invisible.

As families rethink their health habits in the new year, understanding what’s really in their water, and how to filter it effectively, has never mattered more.

The Water Quality Problem Most People Can’t See

One of the biggest misconceptions about drinking water is that you can judge its safety using your senses. Clear water with no odor or off taste may still contain harmful contaminants, some of the most dangerous substances in household water often go unnoticed.

Lead, PFAS (“forever chemicals”), and microplastics do not affect the appearance, smell, or taste of water, yet they are increasingly detected in drinking water systems across the country. Even boiling water doesn’t solve the problem. While boiling can kill bacteria, it does not remove chemicals like lead or PFAS. In some cases, boiling can actually concentrate certain contaminants, making exposure worse rather than better.

The Contaminants Families Should Be Paying Attention To:

Lead
Lead exposure remains a serious concern due to aging infrastructure. Even when water utilities replace lead service lines, lead can still enter drinking water through plumbing fixtures and materials inside homes. Lead is toxic to the nervous system and especially harmful to children’s brain development.

PFAS (Forever Chemicals)
PFAS are a group of persistent chemicals used in everyday products such as non-stick cookware, food packaging, cosmetics, textiles, and firefighting foams. They are called “forever chemicals” because they resist breaking down and can remain in the environment, and the human body, for decades. Even at extremely low levels, PFAS have been linked to cancer risk, reproductive issues, and developmental effects.

Microplastics
Microplastics are now being detected in water sources worldwide. These particles can pass through municipal treatment systems and re-enter water through distribution infrastructure. While long-term health impacts are still being studied, scientists are increasingly concerned about how microplastics accumulate in the body over time.

Why Many Home Filters Don’t Provide Real Protection

Another common misconception is that all water filters perform the same way. Many refrigerator and pitcher filters are designed primarily to improve taste and odor. While that may make water more appealing, it doesn’t necessarily make it safer.

True filtration performance depends on third-party testing and certification. Homeowners should look for filters certified to NSF/ANSI standards:

• NSF/ANSI 42 – Improves taste, odor, and appearance
• NSF/ANSI 53 – Reduces health-related contaminants such as lead
• NSF/ANSI 401 – Reduces emerging contaminants, including PFAS and microplastics
  
  

Filters that lack these certifications, or aren’t replaced on schedule, may provide a false sense of security. Over time, clogged filters can even release previously captured contaminants back into drinking water.

Commercial-Grade Filtration, Reimagined for the Home

To address these gaps, Elkay introduced Liv EZ™, a built-in filtered water dispenser designed specifically for residential use.

Liv EZ uses Elkay’s WaterSentry® filtration technology, the same commercial-grade filtration trusted in schools, airports, gyms, and office buildings across the country. Each WaterSentry filter is tested and certified to NSF/ANSI 42, 53, and 401 for the reduction of:

• Lead
• PFAS (including PFOA and PFOS)
• Microplastics
• Class I particulates
• Cysts
• Chlorine taste and odor

The filter is certified to deliver up to 2,250 gallons of cleaner, healthier water over one year, far longer than most refrigerator or pitcher filters, providing consistent protection without frequent replacements.

Built for Everyday Life, Not Just the Kitchen

Liv EZ was designed to make healthy hydration easier, wherever it fits into daily routines. Its compact, in-wall design installs between standard wall studs and requires only a water line, and no electrical connection needed.

This flexibility allows families to place Liv EZ where water is needed most:

• Home gyms and workout spaces
• Mudrooms and entryways after outdoor activities
• Second floors to avoid late-night trips downstairs
• Playrooms and basements to keep kids hydrated
• Garages and workshops during projects

By bringing filtered water closer to everyday activities, families often find themselves drinking more water and relying less on single-use plastic bottles.

A Smarter Way to Start the Year

As new year resolutions take shape, improving water quality may be one of the simplest, and most impactful, health upgrades a household can make.

Liv EZ makes that protection accessible, convenient, and seamless, helping families turn daily hydration into a healthier habit that lasts well beyond January.

About the Author

As Senior Director of Portfolio Management, Krystal Pesch leads strategic initiatives that drive growth, revenue optimization, and market expansion across Zurn Elkay’s diverse product portfolio. With deep experience in B2B marketing and strategic planning within industrial and plumbing manufacturing, she has a proven ability to translate market insights into measurable business results. Krystal is known for her collaborative leadership style, uniting cross-functional teams around customer-focused solutions that strengthen Zurn Elkay’s competitive position. She is also a committed advocate for elevating women in manufacturing and expanding pathways to leadership.

Expertise & Media Topics:

• Portfolio strategy and business growth
• B2B marketing and go-to-market excellence
• Industrial and plumbing manufacturing trends
• Cross-functional leadership and team alignment
• Advancing women in manufacturing and leadership roles