How To Avoid Microplastics in Water

The presence of microplastics is an increasing concern in water sources across the globe. That means it can be tricky to steer clear of these tiny plastic particles when you’re trying to stay hydrated.

One of the best ways to help avoid microplastics in water is to get the right type of water filtration system for your home. There are other methods to minimize your exposure, but filtration is a particularly effective choice because it also helps protect you from other potential water quality issues along the way.

Ready to learn more about microplastics in water and how to avoid them? Here’s everything you need to know.

6 Tips for Avoiding Microplastics in Your Drinking Water

It’s easy to think that you’d notice plastics in your drinking glass. However, the problem with microplastic pollution in water is that these tiny particles are so small that you generally can’t see, taste or feel them, making them an “invisible water quality problem” like lead or forever chemicals.

So, how can you avoid microplastic exposure if there’s no easy way to tell if it’s there? Here are a few tips you can put to work today:

#1: Start With Water Filtration

It’s important to know that relying on tap water rather than single-use plastic bottles, where microplastics have been identified, isn’t necessarily a solution to avoiding microplastics. Research has already found evidence of microplastics in municipal water sources as well. Although tap water may have a lower microplastic concentration than other options (even some natural water sources), it’s still potentially concerning. The good news is that the right kind of filtration can help address these plastic particles.

Water filtration is a great first step in dodging microplastics that comes with a lot of other benefits as well— which means it’s one of the most efficient water quality moves you can make.

Let’s say you choose a comprehensive filtration system to ensure there are fewer microplastics in your drinking glass.* Because the best systems target a wide range of issues, you could be addressing other concerns at the same time, including:

• Invisible impurities: Arsenic, lead, bacteria, PFAS — a good drinking water filtration system can treat these unseen contaminants before you even know they’re around.
• Aesthetic concerns: A variety of problems, like chlorine or total dissolved solids (TDS) can cause unpleasant tastes and odors in your tap water, but filtration keeps every sip more clear and delicious.

Better yet, tap filtration is a large-scale solution. Unlike fridge or pitcher filters, these systems can make fresh, filtered water always available on tap when you need it — all without the inconvenience of frequent filter replacement.

#2: Know What You’re Up Against

A high-quality filtration system is the best way to put your mind at ease when it comes to microplastics in your water. However, our water supply is just the beginning. Did you know that microplastics have been found just about everywhere in the environment? That includes the air we breathe, the soil that grows our food, the oceans that help keep our world running and even human bodies.

Although this information can be startling, the point of microplastic research isn’t to scare you — it’s to know what you’re up against. When you have all the details, it’s easier to know where and how to avoid microplastic contamination.

#3: Skip Single-Serve Bottled Water

If you’re trying to solve a water problem, it might seem like a good idea to grab a single-serve plastic bottle. Unfortunately, that may not be the case.

Researchers have been finding microplastics in popular bottled water brands for years. However, one 2024 study identified an average of 240,000 tiny pieces of plastic in every liter of bottled water. That’s between 10 and 100 times more particles than previous research found.

However, there’s more to the story. Experts in this study also identified an abundance of polyethylene terephthalate, or PET. This is the substance used to make water bottles and other plastic packaging. That means single-serve bottles don’t just present a risk of microplastic exposure; they also contribute to the problem when they break down into tiny particles over time.

#4: Listen to the News

As researchers learn more about how microplastics spread and what the long-term effects may be, you’ll likely hear about studies, findings and updates on the news. This is your chance to brush up on what you can do to:

• Avoid microplastic exposure in water, food and more.
• Help prevent the continued spread of microplastics.

There’s always more to know, and keeping your eyes and ears open can help you make informed decisions about everything from tap water treatment to avoiding plastic packaging.

#5: Assume Microplastics Are Everywhere

With so much research about widespread plastic waste, it’s easy to feel like microplastics are everywhere — and in some ways, that may be a smart way to think about this issue.

Why? Because this assumption helps you approach uncertainty with a proactive, solutions-focused mindset. If you know there’s a chance microplastics might be present in that plastic water bottle, you’re more likely to make a different choice. This helps you take the potential fear out of decision-making and navigate water quality questions with more confidence.

Microplastics Solution Spotlight: Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment

Filtration might be a top way to avoid microplastics in water, but the story doesn’t end there. After all, there are so many options for water filtration, and not all of them are created equal. The good news is that your answer might be as simple as two letters: RO.

Reverse osmosis, or RO, is a filtration process that works kind of like a net. A specialized semipermeable membrane “catches” contaminants and keeps them from flowing through to your tap. Typically, these solutions also use additional filtration stages to address an even wider variety of contaminants — in the case of the Culligan Aquasential® Smart Reverse Osmosis System, more than 90 different types — and microplastics are just one example.

With an RO system, you’ll see benefits including:

• Improved water quality: From invisible contaminants to the ones you can smell or taste, RO filtration systems address a huge range of water quality issues
• Fewer filter changes: While other filter solutions may need to be changed as often as every two months, Culligan RO filters last up to two years, while the RO membranes last up to five years.
• Less plastic waste: With filtered tap water, you can cut back on your home’s plastic exposure and waste, which is good news for your wallet, microplastic pollution and the whole planet.

What To Know About Microplastics in Water

Want to know more about microplastics in drinking water sources? Here’s a quick look at important facts:

What Are Microplastics?

Microplastics are plastic particles that are smaller than 5 millimeters in size, ranging down as small as 1 nanometer (one billionth of a meter). When they’re even smaller than that, the particles are called nanoplastics.

There are two basic types:

• Primary microplastics: These tiny particles were designed to be small. They’re used in cosmetics, clothing microfibers and other consumer products.
• Secondary microplastics: These plastics are broken-down bits of larger plastics, such as water bottles or food packaging.

Should You Worry About Microplastics?

There is currently not available evidence demonstrating that microplastic levels in food or water are a risk to human health. However, as Science News notes, there are a lot of open questions yet to be researched and understood. In the meantime, there are steps you can take to gain more peace of mind, like water filtration.

Plastic in Water? Start Here

Ready to cut back on plastic waste, avoid microplastic exposure and improve your water quality all at once? It’s time to learn more about your home’s tap water and start improving it. Fortunately, the first step is easy — and free.

Start with Culligan’s free, in-home water test and consultation for a closer look at what’s in your water, plus personalized, expert recommendations for filtration solutions.

*Contaminants may not be present in your water.