Microplastics in Oceans, Waste Water, Drinking Water

Microplastics In Drinking Water

WQA recently sent out information regarding Microplastics which are invisible bits of plastic found in our drinking water, atmosphere, waste water, lakes, streams, rivers and oceans.

Fleece Frog in Plastic Bottle

These particles are generated from human activities.  They may start out as larger plastic pieces that slowly degrade or be the result of a manufacturing process.

• It is estimated that tires give off 270 million tons per year.
• A single fleece jacket sheds 250,000 microfibers in a single wash.
• Non-biodegradable plastic – such as plastic bags and beverage bottles.

Why treat for it? We don’t know what we don’t know.

• The human health effects are currently unknown. 
• The USEPA developed the “Long Term Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule” which insures that the total concentration of particles in drinking water must be less than 0.10 mg/l (ppm).
• In 2015 microbeads were banned from use in cosmetics and personal care products.
• Microplastics are part of the food chain and have been found in the guts of shell fish and most animals.

Microplastics are measured by microns µ and are generally not visible to the human eye.   How big is a micron µ?

• The particle size range of ion exchange resin is 300-1200 µ.
• Human Hair measures 50 – 75 µ.
• The human eye sees 40 microns µ or greater.
• The size of bacteria ranges from 0.2 – 3 µ.

How to treat the water.

Because the microplastics are not visible any technology which is capable of fine filtration will reduce or remove microfibers from drinking water.

• Micro filtration -> 0.1 µ
• Ultra Filtration -> 0.01 µ
• Nano Filtration -> 0.005 µ
• Reverse Osmosis -> filters virtually all microplastics.

What can we do to reduce microplastics?

Not sure what we can do about tires?  But the rest is pretty obvious!

Truck Tires as Floating Dock

• Recycle – In 2015 9% of plastic was recycled; 12% was incinerated; 79% landfilled.
  • Cut down on the use of toss away plastic items.
  • Don’t use plastic which can’t be recycled. Find alternatives such as biodegradable plastic bags, paper straws, etc.
  • Reduce consumption of bottled beverages.   Treat your tap water.
  • Most importantly, consider where the products you purchase will ultimately end up.   It’s not really “away” when we throw it away.
• Consider the fabric used in in the manufacture of the clothing you purchase.

For More Information:

• Dealers – WQA  Annual Recertification Kits are available to members.  The most recent kit includes information about particulate (microplastics) reduction, chloride reduction, activated carbon and domestic well coliform.  WQA Recertification Kit IX
• Fact Sheet – Microplastics and Drinking Water
• EPA Fact Sheet Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
• Dealers – Contact Urbans Aqua for pricing and more information about treatment methods for particulate removal. Ultrapro Brochure, Freshpoint-RO, Ultrafilter Info