DETROIT — When it comes to water, only about half of US residents surveyed are very confident in the safety of what’s flowing from their tap, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll, which found that trust is even weaker among minorities and low-income people.

The lead-contaminated water in Flint, Mich., has been in the headlines for months, and many believe it’s a sign of widespread problems in the nation as a whole. About seven in 10 drink tap water, but about half of them say they first run it through a filter.

No level of lead in the human body is considered safe, especially in children.

The problems are partly due to the old pipes in neighborhoods and homes across the country.

Half of those surveyed say the US government should do more to ensure safe drinking water, while 40 percent said the government’s role is about right.