We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics in drinking water. Efficiency of treatment and distribution of a drinking water cycle
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tracked microplastics through an entire drinking water cycle — from reservoir to treatment plant to distribution network — and found that conventional treatment removed about 92% of microplastics, but particle counts rose again in storage tanks and pipes, likely from material wear. The study highlights that even effective treatment plants can be undermined by the distribution infrastructure downstream.
It is known that there are many sources of microplastics (MPs) contamination in reservoir water catchment areas. In addition, sampling, analysis, and determination techniques are not standardized, making not only sampling complicated, but also the comparison and extrapolation of the data obtained with other studies. This is further magnified in the determination in drinking water matrices. Furthermore, among the legislative aspects, introduces for the first time at the watch list about pollutant to be consider. Therefore, the objective of this study is to know the presence of MPs in the drinking water distribution cycle (natural reservoir (S1), outflow of the drinking water treatment plant (S2), city's reservoir (S3) and a municipal control point of the supply network (S4)), for this purpose a method for the analysis and determination of MPs in drinking water is set up and proposed. In order to carry out the study, several samples were taken at different points of the drinking water distribution pathway. Based on the shape of the particles, the result shows the predominance of fragments over fibers and bulk. A difference is observed between these forms between incoming (S1) and outgoing samples (S2 to S4); while in S1 it seems that fiber predominates over bulk, in S2 bulk predominate and in less concentration fibers. In S3 and S4 the tendency is similar to the S2, there is a predominance of fragment followed by bulk and finally fibers. Regarding the abundance of these polymers, it was 1550 ± 891 MP/m 3 at S1, 115 ± 35 MP/m 3 at S2, 435 ± 120 MP/m 3 at S3 and 450 ± 221 MP/m 3 in S4. These results show that is able to establish an average efficiency of the 92 ± 2 % removal of MPs in the purification processes. Likewise, regarding the typology of polymers, the most representative were PTFE, PE and PS. The amount of MPs is higher at the DWTP inlet than at the outflow, indicating that the treatment may reduce them, even if not specifically designed to do so. This study, conducted in a DWTP with conventional treatment, suggests these findings could apply to other similar plants. An increase in MPs has been noted from the DWTP outlet to the storage tanks and the city's distribution network, possibly due to material carryover and pipe wear. • Despite the new regulations there are still gaps for the analysis of microplastics. • Aluminum and silver filters are used for a correct analysis of microplastics in drinking water. • Silver filters, although more expensive, have better performance and resolution in microFtir. • Drinking water treatment plant could have an efficiency of the 92 ± 2 % removal of MPs in the purification processes.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic Transportation in a Typical Drinking Water Supply: From Raw Water to Household Water
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tracked microplastics through an entire drinking water system, from the source water to household taps, and found that treatment plants actually increased microplastic counts rather than removing them. The treated water contained 12 to 25 particles per liter, with most being tiny fragments under 100 micrometers made of common plastics like PET and PVC. This suggests that current water treatment infrastructure may be shedding microplastics from its own pipes and filters into the water people drink.
Microplastic removal efficiency in a megacity water treatment plant and dynamics in the distribution system
AI summary Read the abstract
This study tracked microplastics through a megacity drinking water treatment plant and urban distribution network, finding significant MP removal through treatment but detecting residual contamination in distributed water, raising public health concerns in rapidly growing urban areas.
Microplastics in drinking water distribution systems: Occurrence, environmental behavior, and human health concerns
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how microplastics move through drinking water distribution systems, from treatment plants all the way to household taps. Despite treatment efforts, microplastics persist in the water supply, with plastic pipes and fittings themselves contributing additional contamination. The tiny particles also serve as carriers for harmful bacteria and other pollutants, compounding the health risks of microplastic-contaminated drinking water.
Tracing microplastics in rural drinking water in Chongqing, China: Their presence and pathways from source to tap
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers traced the journey of microplastics through a rural drinking water system in Chongqing, China, from reservoir to tap. They found that the water treatment plant successfully removed all microplastics from the water, but contamination increased again during pipe transport to homes, resulting in about 1.4 particles per liter at the tap. The study reveals that aging distribution pipes are a significant and often overlooked source of microplastic exposure in drinking water.
Microplastics detection and characterisation in the urban water cycle of Geneva, Switzerland: Assessing the supply network impacts
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted a comprehensive survey of microplastic contamination across Geneva's entire urban water cycle, from raw water sources through drinking water treatment to wastewater plant effluents. They found that conventional drinking water treatment removed 97% of microplastics, but the distribution network itself reintroduced contamination, increasing levels from 10 to roughly 25 particles per cubic meter. The study highlights that water supply infrastructure is an overlooked source of microplastic exposure for consumers.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.