Are There Microplastics in My Water? What Ontario Homes Should Know
Quick Summary: Microplastics are widespread in tap water — one global study found plastic fibers in 94% of U.S. samples — and bottled water often contains even more. These particles, under 5 millimeters, enter drinking water through surface runoff, wastewater discharge, and atmospheric deposition, and standard municipal treatment wasn’t designed to remove them. This guide covers how microplastics reach Ontario taps, what research says about health risks, why boiling only partly helps, and the filtration that actually removes them — led by reverse osmosis, whose membrane blocks particles far smaller than any microplastic.
Microplastics have been found in tap water samples across the world, including in the United States — and Southern California’s blend of imported surface water makes the question just as relevant in Ontario. These tiny particles, less than 5 millimeters long, come from the breakdown of larger plastic items, synthetic fibers, and industrial processes, entering drinking water systems through surface runoff, wastewater discharge, and even the air.
You might think bottled water would be the safer option, but research suggests it often contains more microplastics than tap water. So how do you actually protect your drinking water? Let’s break down where microplastics come from, why they matter, and what works.
Where Microplastics in Tap Water Come From
Microplastics are nearly invisible without a microscope, but they’re everywhere — oceans, rivers, rainwater, even snowfall. Because plastics degrade slowly, they fragment into ever-smaller pieces. The main pathways into tap water:
- Surface waters: streams, rivers, and reservoirs that supply municipal systems — including the imported supplies Ontario blends with local groundwater — carry microplastic particles.
- Wastewater discharge: treated and untreated wastewater carries microplastics into public water sources.
- Runoff and litter: rain picks up plastic debris from streets and carries it into storm drains and freshwater systems.
- Atmospheric deposition: plastic fibers from clothing and industrial emissions settle onto water bodies and into treatment plants.
Municipal treatment plants remove many contaminants effectively, but they weren’t designed with microplastics in mind — so a significant share passes through and reaches your tap.
How Much Microplastic Is in Tap Water?
A 2017 study by Orb Media found that 83% of global tap water samples contained plastic fibers — and in the United States, the figure was 94%. Concentrations vary with the water source (surface vs. groundwater), the condition of local pipes, and treatment methods, which is why unfiltered tap water carries an unknown for any given home.
Health Risks of Microplastics
Scientists are still studying the health effects of microplastic ingestion. Animal studies suggest microplastics can cause inflammation, disrupt hormone function, and carry toxic chemicals absorbed from the environment — and some evidence suggests particles can migrate beyond the gut to organs and tissues. Human research is limited, but concern is growing, especially for children, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems.
Until more definitive research is available, many public health experts recommend limiting microplastic exposure where you can — starting with your drinking water.
Does Boiling Water Remove Microplastics?
Partly. A 2024 study in Environmental Science & Technology Letters found that boiling water for five minutes can remove up to 90% of microplastics — boiling causes the particles to bind with calcium and form scale you can filter out or let settle. Ontario’s very hard water actually helps here, since more calcium means more binding.
But boiling isn’t a complete answer: it misses the smallest nanoplastics, it can concentrate other contaminants, and it’s impractical for every glass your family drinks. For consistent protection, filtration is the long-term solution.
Best Ways to Reduce Microplastics in Your Drinking Water
- Install a reverse osmosis system — the most effective home defense (details below).
- Use a fine filter — filters with absolute pore sizes under 1 micron capture most microplastic particles.
- Skip bottled water — a 2018 study found plastic contamination in 93% of tested bottles across 11 brands; filtered tap water lowers both your plastic intake and your environmental footprint.
- Boil and filter — a reasonable stopgap while you choose a system.
- Maintain plumbing — older plastic pipe materials can shed particles; replacement improves overall water quality.
How Culligan Helps Remove Microplastics From Your Water
Reverse Osmosis Systems
Culligan’s reverse osmosis systems, like the Aquasential® Smart RO, filter through multiple stages including a semi-permeable membrane that blocks particles down to 0.0001 microns — far smaller than any microplastic. RO also reduces companion contaminants like lead, arsenic, and nitrates.
Whole-House Filtration
For broader protection, whole-house water filters improve water quality at every tap. A Culligan Water Expert can pair whole-house filtration with point-of-use RO so drinking, cooking, and bathing water are each treated appropriately.
Microplastics FAQs
Do water filters really remove microplastics?
Yes — if the filter’s pore size is smaller than the particles. Reverse osmosis membranes (0.0001 micron) block them by orders of magnitude; carbon block filters rated under 1 micron catch most; loose pitcher filters generally don’t.
Is bottled water safer than tap for microplastics?
Usually the opposite — bottling, caps, and the bottles themselves shed particles into the water. Filtered tap water is the lower-plastic option.
Final Thoughts
Microplastics are an unavoidable part of modern life, but what reaches your glass is something you can control. With the right Culligan of Ontario filtration system, you can reduce microplastics along with the rest of what shouldn’t be in your water. Schedule a free in-home water test to see what’s in your tap — and the simplest way to fix it.
