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A baseline study on the prevalence of microplastics in South African drinking water: from source to distribution
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A baseline survey of South Africa's largest bulk drinking water system found microplastics present throughout — in source water, immediately after treatment, and in the distribution network supplying major urban areas — at concentrations of 0.24 to 1.47 particles per liter. Critically, the treatment process showed little evidence of actually reducing microplastic concentrations, meaning treated tap water delivered to millions of people still contains detectable microplastic particles.
Due to the worldwide increasing prevalence of microplastics in the aquatic environment, this study aimed to perform a screening of the source and drinking water of South Africa’s largest bulk drinking water supplier to determine the extent to which microplastics occur in the water. Source water samples, samples immediately after treatment, and samples in the distribution network (Johannesburg, Mabopane, Garankua and Pelindaba) were analysed. Microplastics concentrations in the source water ranged from 0.24 to 1.47 particles/L, immediately after treatment from 0.56 to 0.9 particles/L, and in the distribution network from 0.26 to 0.88 particles/L. Most of the microplastics found in the water were classified as ‘fragments’ and a few as ‘fibres’. The control sample (indicating contamination during sample preparation and analysis) showed 0.34 particles/L, which was higher than some of the samples taken, indicating very low microplastics concentrations in these samples. Little evidence was found that the drinking water treatment processes reduced the number of microplastics from the source to the final treated water. No evidence could be found that the pipes in the distribution network contribute to microplastics in the tap water. The most frequently found polymer in the samples was rubber. Based on mass, however, as a function of particle size and polymer density, ethylene-vinyl-acetate (a polymer commonly used as foam in sporting equipment and flip-flops) comprised 54% of the microplastics and polyethylene (standard and chlorinated) 25%.
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This review summarizes evidence that microplastics are present in both tap water and bottled water worldwide, with bottled water frequently contaminated by particles shed from the plastic packaging itself. Conventional water treatment plants remove between 40% and 93% of microplastics but cannot eliminate them entirely, meaning treated drinking water still carries measurable plastic loads. The chapter highlights the irony that plastic packaging intended to deliver clean water is itself a major source of microplastic contamination.
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This review summarizes research on microplastic contamination across the entire drinking water supply chain, from treatment plants to tap water and bottled water. Microplastics were found at every stage, with concentrations varying widely depending on location and treatment methods. The findings highlight that people are regularly consuming microplastics through their drinking water, though more standardized research is needed to fully understand the health implications.
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