Are There Microplastics In My Water?
Quick Summary: Microplastics are widespread in tap water and pose potential health risks due to their ability to carry toxic chemicals and infiltrate public water systems. This blog explores how microplastics enter drinking water through sources like surface runoff, wastewater, and atmospheric deposition, and outlines the impacts of microplastics on public health. It also compares bottled vs. tap water contamination levels and offers actionable ways to reduce microplastic ingestion—such as boiling water, installing fine-pore filters, and using Culligan reverse osmosis systems.
Microplastics have been found in tap water samples across the world, including in the United States. These tiny particles, less than 5 millimeters long, come from the breakdown of larger plastic items, synthetic fibers, and even industrial processes. Studies show that they can end up in our drinking water systems through various pathways, including surface runoff, wastewater discharge, and even the air.
You might think plastic bottles or bottled water would be a safer option, but research suggests it often contains even higher levels of microplastics than tap water. That leaves many households wondering: how do you protect your drinking water from microplastic pollution?
Let’s break down where microplastics come from, why they matter to human health, and what you can do to reduce them in your drinking water.
Where Microplastics in Tap Water Come From
Microplastics are almost impossible to see without a microscope, but they are everywhere. Scientists have found them in oceans, rivers, rainwater, and even snowfall. Because plastics degrade slowly, they fragment into smaller pieces over time, not just in the environment but also during manufacturing, laundry, and transportation processes.
Here’s how microplastics typically enter tap water:
- Surface Waters: Streams, rivers, and lakes that supply municipal water can carry large amounts of microplastic particles. These surface waters are often the first point of contamination.
- Wastewater Discharge: Treated and untreated wastewater can carry microplastics into public water sources.
- Runoff and Litter: Rainwater can pick up plastic debris from streets and carry it into storm drains and eventually into freshwater systems.
- Atmospheric Deposition: Tiny plastic fibers from clothing and industrial emissions can settle onto water bodies or directly into water treatment plants.
Municipal water treatment plants are effective at removing many contaminants, but they weren’t designed with microplastics in mind. That means a significant amount can pass through filtration and end up in the tap water sampleswe drink every day. Understanding the chemical composition of these particles is key to designing better removal strategies.
How Much Microplastic is in Tap Water?
A 2017 study by Orb Media found that 83% of global tap water samples contained plastic fibers. In the United States, the figure was even higher at 94%. Recent studies, including research published by the American Chemical Society (ACS), show that boiling tap water can remove up to 90% of microplastics by trapping them in limescale particles that are then filtered out.
While that’s good news, most people don’t boil every glass of water they drink. Plus, boiling alone may not remove the smallest or toxic chemicals bound to plastic fragments.
The numbers suggest that plastic pollution is common in tap water, but concentrations can vary. Some factors that influence microplastic levels include the original water source (surface vs. groundwater), the condition of local pipes, and the specific treatment methods used. These variations raise potential risks to households relying on unfiltered tap water.
Health Risks of Microplastics
Right now, scientists are still studying the health effects of microplastic ingestion. Some animal studies suggest that microplastics can cause inflammation, disrupt hormone functions, and carry toxic chemicals absorbed from the environment. The impacts of microplastics extend beyond the gut—some evidence suggests they can migrate to organs and tissues.
While human studies are still limited, the concern is growing, especially for vulnerable groups like children, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems.
Microplastics can act as carriers for other harmful substances, including heavy metals, pesticides, and bacteria. This ability to “hitchhike” dangerous chemicals into the body raises questions about long-term exposure, even at low levels.
The toxic effects and potential risks associated with the ingestion of microplastics are not fully understood, but early findings suggest a need for caution and further research.
Until more definitive research is available, many public health experts recommend limiting microplastic exposure as much as possible—starting with your drinking water.
Boiling Water to Remove Microplastics
One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to reduce microplastics in tap water is to boil it. A study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters (ACS, 2024) found that boiling water for five minutes can remove up to 90% of microplastics.
Boiling causes microplastics to bind with minerals, especially calcium, creating a scale that sticks to the pot or kettle. If you then filter the water through a simple coffee filter or let the sediment settle at the bottom, you can further reduce the amount of plastic in your drinking water.
However, boiling isn’t a perfect solution:
- It won’t remove all plastic particles, especially nanoplastics (particles smaller than 1 micrometer).
- It can concentrate other contaminants like toxic chemicals if your water already contains them.
- It’s time-consuming and not practical for large quantities of water.
For more consistent results, especially for families, filtered systems offer a better long-term solution to reduce the effects of microplastics and other toxic effects from contaminated sources.
Why Bottled Water Isn’t Always Better
It might seem logical to switch to bottled water to avoid microplastics, but studies suggest that bottled water often contains even more microplastics than tap water.
In 2018, a study by Orb Media and researchers at the State University of New York at Fredonia tested 259 bottles from 11 brands and found plastic bottle contamination in 93% of them. The contamination likely comes from the bottling process, plastic caps, and even the bottles themselves shedding particles into the water.
Choosing bottled water over tap might actually increase your human exposure to microplastics—not to mention the environmental cost of producing and discarding billions of single-use plastics each year.
Best Ways to Reduce Microplastics in Your Drinking Water
If you’re looking to cut down microplastics in your tap water, here are the most effective steps:
- Install a Water Filtration System: Certain home water filters can trap microplastics effectively, particularly those that use reverse osmosis (RO) technology.
- Use a Fine Filter: Filters labeled with absolute pore sizes smaller than 1 micron are better at capturing microplastics and toxic effects from the breakdown of plastic materials.
- Avoid Bottled Water: Stick to filtered tap water to lower both your plastic intake and your environmental impact.
- Boil and Filter: Boiling water followed by simple filtration can cut down a significant portion of microplastics.
- Maintain Plumbing: Older pipes may shed plastic particles. Replacing old plumbing materials can also help improve overall water quality and reduce human consumption of contaminants.
How Culligan Helps Remove Microplastics from Your Water
Culligan offers several water treatment solutions that can help reduce microplastics in your home water supply.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
Culligan’s reverse osmosis (RO) systems, such as the Aquasential® Smart Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System, use multiple filtration stages, including a semi-permeable membrane that blocks particles down to 0.0001 microns. That size is far smaller than typical microplastics, meaning RO can effectively reduce them along with other toxic chemicals like lead, arsenic, and nitrates.
Whole-House Water Filters and Bottled Water Delivery
For broader protection, Culligan also offers whole-house water filters that improve water quality at every tap, and bottled water delivery options for those looking for a convenient source of purified drinking water. Culligan bottled water is treated through multi-step purification, including filtration and reverse osmosis, to minimize impurities, including microplastics in drinking water.
By working with a Culligan Water Expert, you can customize a solution that fits your needs, whether that’s a single point-of-use RO system or a whole-home filtration upgrade.
Final Thoughts
Microplastics have become an unavoidable part of modern life, but you can take practical steps to limit how much you ingest through drinking water. While boiling can help in the short term, installing a high-quality water filtration system offers the most effective and consistent protection.
With the right Culligan of San Diego water filtration system, you can reduce the effects of microplastics, protect your family’s health, and feel more confident about what’s coming out of your tap. The impacts of microplastics may still be unfolding, but informed decisions now can help safeguard public health for the future.
