Tonnes of microplastics end up in our oceans and waterways each year impacting animals and the environment, as well as wastewater treatments plants and other infrastructure. There are valid concerns about the risks microplastics in drinking water pose to human health, but little information about the types and size ranges of microplastic particles in various waters from different locations. There is also a lack of standardised, validated, sampling and monitoring methodology.

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This project has taken an important step in addressing these issues by reviewing published reports about the prevalence and characteristics of microplastics in source waters, drinking water and recycled water, and will also identify sampling and testing techniques and limitations, treatment technologies and their ability to remove microplastics during water treatment, as well as research and knowledge gaps.