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Microplastic Contamination in Drinking Water Treatment Systems: A Case Study of Bedadung River Jember
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Researchers traced microplastic contamination through the Bedadung River water treatment chain in Indonesia, from intake to consumer taps, at seven sampling points. MPs were present throughout the system, with concentrations declining through treatment stages but not reaching zero, indicating residual MP exposure in treated drinking water.
Microplastic contamination in drinking water systems is an emerging environmental and public health issue. This study investigated the abundance, size distribution, and polymer composition of microplastics across the Bedadung River water treatment chain, from source to consumer taps. Seven sampling points were established, including upstream locations, intake sites, treatment plant reservoirs, and tap water from two water treatment plants (Tegal Gede and Tegal Besar). Microplastic concentrations ranged from 49.33 to 160 particles/L, with particle sizes averaging 0.102–0.233 mm. Contrary to expected treatment outcomes, both plants demonstrated significant increases in microplastic concentrations post-treatment: Tegal Gede saw a 78% increase, while Tegal Besar exhibited a 140% rise. The highest contamination (160 particles/L) was recorded at the Tegal Besar treated water reservoir. These elevated microplastic levels in treated and consumer tap water highlight a critical gap in current water treatment processes, suggesting that material migration from treatment infrastructure, including plastic pipes and filtration components, may contribute to contamination. The predominance of fiber-type microplastics, mainly polyethylene terephthalate (PET), underscores the need for specialized microplastic removal processes and infrastructure upgrades to safeguard public health.
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This case study tracked microplastics through different treatment stages at a drinking water plant in Bandung, Indonesia, finding that plastic levels were higher during the rainy season and that particle sizes between 300-1000 micrometers dominated. The treatment plant reduced microplastic counts, but the study assessed how effectively each treatment step performed across seasons and times of day. The findings contribute to understanding how well conventional water treatment removes microplastics in tropical developing-country settings, where infrastructure may differ from Western facilities.
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