drinking water with silt ok?

Some water issues can be regional. May want to check with the local authority to see if there are any know issues with arsenic, etc.

Pre filter yes. If you have the time, you can add a flocking agent like chlor floc or Dave's alum technique.

I live around numerous rivers which are clouded with glacial runoff. I don't even try to drink out of them which isn't a problem as there is an abundance of cleaner water sources to drink out of.

I had silt in my water despite filtering with a bandanna and decanting the clearer stuff. I am still around after drinking but using a coffee filter would have done wonders.

Glacier silt pretty fine for filter

You can let it settle for a few hours

Sometimes the main channel will have silt, but you can find a stream flow that's clear right next to it, maybe you have to walk up or down stream to find a spot.

In general, I don't think glacier silt is unhealthful – it's just finely ground rock

But is the silt in water actually a health risk?

no. i do not think it is a health risk. it is mud. mud is dirt and water.
the water will be ok. the dirt is whatever dirt is. sterile .. mostly.

the closer you are to the glacier, the less questionable it should be.
the all of us have lapped away at things more likely to a veritable petri dish of germs than silty water.

now..something like the Mackenzie river is a gagg'r to drink. sewage, effeluent. the all of that stuff. i have drunk it (very thristy), and am still here. it was terrible.

but just regular old silty river water … go for it.

the danger of wandering about dried out is greater than that posed by eating dirt. that's just my op.

cheers,
v.

I have found that silt can updet my stomach but I don't expect longer term issues.