Microplastics

About Microplastics

Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic. They can come from larger plastic items that break down over time. Extremely tiny pieces may be called nanoplastics.

Microplastics are found in many places, including water, air, soil, and food.

image of water flowing into glass from kitchen sink tap

What Milwaukee Water Works does

Milwaukee Water Works treats Lake Michigan water before it reaches your tap. Our treatment process removes many particles from the water. This includes some microplastics. Two important steps are:

- Letting heavier material settle out of the water
- Filtering the water through layers of coal and sand

Microplastics come in many sizes and shapes. Some are so small that they are difficult to find and measure. Milwaukee Water Works cannot say that treatment removes every microplastic or nanoplastic particle.

What we are learning

Milwaukee Water Works took part in a Water Research Foundation study on microplastics.

The study looks at:

How much each water treatment step may remove
How to collect water samples without adding plastic from the sampling equipment
How to test water for very small plastic particles

Rutgers University is analyzing the samples. The results are not available yet. We will share information with customers when the study is complete and the results are reviewed.

Are microplastics harmful?

Scientists are still learning about microplastics and health.

Microplastics are common in our environment, but there are still questions about how they may affect people. This is especially true for nanoplastics.

Milwaukee Water Works follows research from public health, environmental, and drinking water organizations. We will continue to share reliable information as it becomes available.

Are microplastics regulated in drinking water?

There is currently no federal drinking water standard for microplastics or nanoplastics.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is studying microplastics and how they can be measured in water. Testing methods are still being improved. Different studies may produce different results because they may look for different sizes or types of plastic.

What about home water filters?

Some home water filters may remove some particles. However, filters do not all work the same way. Learn more about home water filters and maintenance.

If you use a home filter:

- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Change filters on schedule.
- Look for products with independently tested performance claims.

Do not assume a filter removes every type or size of microplastic.

Our commitment

Milwaukee Water Works will continue to track research on microplastics. We will share study results and other reliable information with our customers as it becomes available.