Microplastics in NYC Tap Water: What the Research Shows in 2026

Quick Answer: Microplastics are present in NYC tap water at approximately 4 particles per liter, according to compiled research through 2025. However, here is what many New Yorkers find surprising: bottled water contains significantly more microplastics, averaging 94 particles per liter for microplastics alone. When including nanoplastics, one Columbia University study found up to 240,000 particles per liter in popular bottled water brands. For commercial facilities concerned about employee health, switching from bottled water to properly filtered tap water actually reduces microplastic exposure while eliminating single-use plastic waste.

Introduction: An Emerging Health Concern

Microplastics have become one of the most discussed water quality topics among facilities managers, HR directors, and health-conscious employers across New York City. These tiny plastic particles, smaller than 5 millimeters, have been detected in water sources worldwide, raising questions about long-term health implications.

For commercial facilities providing drinking water to employees, visitors, and customers, understanding the science behind microplastics matters. The decisions you make about water delivery systems directly affect the people in your building.

This guide examines what current research tells us about microplastics in NYC tap water, why bottled water may not be the solution many assume, and what practical steps commercial facilities can take to minimize exposure.

What Are Microplastics and Where Do They Come From?

Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters in diameter. Nanoplastics are even smaller, measuring less than 1 micrometer. Both categories have been found in drinking water sources globally.

Primary Sources of Microplastics

Understanding where microplastics originate helps explain why they appear in different water sources at varying concentrations.

• Degrading plastic waste: Larger plastic items break down over time into smaller fragments that enter waterways
• Synthetic textiles: Washing synthetic clothing releases microfibers into wastewater systems
• Tire wear: Vehicle tires shed particles that wash into stormwater systems
• Personal care products: Some cosmetics and cleaning products contain microbeads
• Plastic packaging: Direct leaching from PET bottles, caps, and container manufacturing

How Microplastics Enter Water Supplies

Microplastics reach drinking water through multiple pathways. Surface water sources can contain particles from environmental contamination. Treatment processes remove many larger particles but may not capture the smallest fragments. Additionally, plastic packaging itself introduces microplastics directly into the water it contains.

NYC’s water system benefits from its protected Catskill Mountain watershed, which limits many contamination sources. However, no water source is entirely free of microplastics in the current environment.

Research on Microplastics in NYC Tap Water

While federal regulations do not yet require microplastic monitoring, research provides useful data about contamination levels in municipal water systems.

Current Findings for NYC and U.S. Tap Water

According to compiled studies reviewed by Aquasana in 2025, microplastics appear in approximately 94% of U.S. tap water samples. The average concentration is roughly 4 microplastic particles per liter.

For NYC specifically, the Department of Environmental Protection’s 2024 Watershed Water Quality Annual Report confirms active research on “Microplastics in Drinking Water Distribution Systems” and participation in a “Collaborative Forum on Microplastics Research.” While granular public data remains limited, NYC’s protected watershed likely results in concentrations at or below national averages.

EPA’s June 2024 review of NYC water confirmed the supply is “clean and safe to drink,” meeting stringent standards for regulated contaminants. Microplastics are not yet included in federal regulatory standards, though this may change as research continues.

Context for Commercial Facilities

For Manhattan office buildings, Brooklyn healthcare facilities, and Queens educational institutions, these findings provide important context. NYC tap water contains microplastics at levels consistent with or below national averages. The protected Catskill Mountain source water and comprehensive treatment provide advantages over many municipal systems.

However, the more significant finding for facilities managers relates to the alternative many buildings currently use: bottled water.

The Bottled Water Irony: More Microplastics, Not Fewer

Many commercial facilities stock bottled water based on an assumption that it offers higher quality than tap water. Research published through 2024 and 2025 challenges this assumption directly, particularly regarding microplastics.

Columbia University Research Findings

A widely cited 2023 study led by researchers at Columbia University analyzed three popular U.S. bottled water brands using advanced optical detection techniques. The findings were striking:

• Bottled water samples contained approximately 240,000 detectable plastic particles per liter on average
• This count includes both microplastics and nanoplastics
• Results were 10 to 100 times higher than earlier estimates because newer techniques detect smaller particles
• Particles originated from PET bottles, caps, and manufacturing processes

The tested brands are widely sold across NYC, making these findings directly relevant to local facilities.

Comparative Concentration Data

A 2025 synthesis of multiple studies calculated that bottled water contains approximately 94 microplastic particles per liter on average, compared to roughly 4 particles per liter in tap water. This represents a 2,125% higher microplastic concentration in bottled water.

These figures do not include nanoplastics, which the Columbia study found in far greater numbers in bottled water samples.

Why Bottled Water Contains More Microplastics

Several factors explain higher concentrations in bottled water:

• Container leaching: Microplastics and nanoplastics leach from PET bottles and caps during manufacturing, sealing, and storage
• Temperature exposure: Heat during shipping and storage accelerates plastic degradation
• Contact time: Water sits in plastic containers for weeks or months before consumption
• Less regulation: Bottled water is less tightly regulated than public water systems in several respects

For facilities currently spending on bottled water delivery in the name of water quality, this research presents a significant reconsideration. Our complete guide to eliminating bottled water in NYC offices explores the practical steps.

Health Implications: What Current Research Indicates

No finalized regulatory health standard exists for microplastics in drinking water. However, the evidence base has grown substantially through 2024 and 2025.

Areas of Research Concern

Syntheses of animal studies, laboratory research, and emerging human data have linked microplastic exposure to several health concerns:

• Cardiovascular effects: Studies suggest potential impacts on heart and circulatory health
• Reproductive issues: Research indicates possible effects on reproductive systems
• Gastrointestinal inflammation: Gut inflammation and broader digestive effects have been observed
• Endocrine disruption: Plastics may interfere with hormone systems

Current research estimates the average person may ingest the equivalent of a credit card’s weight in microplastics per week from all sources, including water, food, and air.

Particular Concerns About Nanoplastics

Nanoplastics present heightened concerns due to their size. These particles are small enough to cross biological barriers, including:

• The blood-brain barrier
• Cell membranes
• Entry into vital organs

Experimental research suggests potential links to neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, altered metabolism, and carcinogenic potential. While causality and dose-response relationships in humans are not fully defined, the direction of evidence has prompted advocacy organizations to petition the EPA to begin systematic monitoring.

The Precautionary Approach for Commercial Facilities

For facilities managers and business owners, the practical question is how to respond while research continues. Given that filtered tap water contains fewer microplastics than bottled water, eliminating bottle delivery and installing point-of-use filtration represents a precautionary approach that addresses both current evidence and potential future findings.

Filtration Solutions That Remove Microplastics

Not all water filters remove microplastics effectively. Understanding which technologies work helps facilities make informed decisions.

Highly Effective: Reverse Osmosis and Nanofiltration

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems use membranes with angstrom-scale pore sizes. These systems are highly effective at removing microplastics and a significant fraction of nanoplastics, with removal rates typically exceeding 90-99% for particles above tens of nanometers. Under-sink RO systems are commonly used for drinking water applications.

Nanofiltration and tight ultrafiltration membranes with pore sizes in the tens of nanometers range capture essentially all microplastics and substantial portions of nanoplastics. Commercial-grade systems using these technologies provide reliable protection for high-volume applications.

Generally Effective: Quality Ultrafiltration

Standard ultrafiltration (UF) membranes with pore sizes of 0.01 to 0.1 micrometers are highly effective for microplastics down to sub-micron sizes. Some smaller nanoplastics may pass through, but these systems significantly reduce overall particle counts.

Tight carbon block filters rated at 0.2 to 0.5 micrometers can physically strain out larger microplastics and fibers while adsorbing some particles onto the carbon surface. Performance varies by product, so looking for specific microplastic reduction testing is advisable.

Less Effective: Basic Filters

Several common filtration methods provide limited microplastic protection:

• Pitcher filters and faucet attachments: Loose granular activated carbon primarily targets taste and odor, with inconsistent particle removal
• Simple sediment filters: Effective for larger particles like sand and rust, but ineffective for fine microplastics
• Boiling: Does not remove microplastics and may concentrate them as water evaporates

Commercial Point-of-Use Systems

For commercial facilities in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and across the NYC Metro area, point-of-use filtration systems designed for commercial applications offer several advantages:

• NSF-certified filtration targeting microplastic removal
• High-volume capacity for busy facilities
• Scheduled maintenance ensuring consistent performance
• Multiple dispensing options including ambient, cold, and sparkling water
• Elimination of bottle delivery logistics and storage

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there microplastics in NYC tap water?

Yes, microplastics are present in NYC tap water at approximately 4 particles per liter, consistent with national averages. NYC’s protected Catskill Mountain watershed and comprehensive testing program provide advantages, but no water source is entirely microplastic-free in the current environment.

Does bottled water have more microplastics than tap water?

Yes, research consistently shows bottled water contains significantly more microplastics than tap water. Studies find bottled water averages 94 microplastic particles per liter compared to 4 particles per liter in tap water. When including nanoplastics, one Columbia University study found up to 240,000 particles per liter in bottled water.

Why does bottled water contain more microplastics?

Microplastics and nanoplastics leach from PET bottles and caps during manufacturing, sealing, storage, and shipping. Heat exposure accelerates degradation, and extended contact time allows more particles to enter the water. Bottled water is also subject to less stringent regulatory oversight than municipal water systems.

What are the health effects of microplastics in drinking water?

Research has linked microplastic exposure to cardiovascular effects, reproductive issues, gastrointestinal inflammation, and potential endocrine disruption. Nanoplastics are particularly concerning because they can cross biological barriers including cell membranes and the blood-brain barrier. Causality and dose-response relationships are still being studied.

Does NYC test for microplastics in tap water?

NYC DEP is actively researching microplastics through projects on “Microplastics in Drinking Water Distribution Systems” and participation in collaborative research forums. However, there is no federal requirement to test for microplastics, and routine monitoring data is not yet publicly available.

What type of water filter removes microplastics?

Reverse osmosis systems are most effective, removing 90-99% of microplastics and significant nanoplastics. Nanofiltration and quality ultrafiltration systems also perform well. Tight carbon block filters with sub-micron ratings provide good reduction. Basic pitcher filters and simple sediment filters are not effective for microplastic removal.

Can boiling water remove microplastics?

No, boiling water does not remove microplastics. Boiling kills microorganisms but has no effect on plastic particles. In fact, boiling may slightly concentrate microplastics as water evaporates.

How many microplastics do people consume daily?

Current research estimates the average person may ingest the equivalent of a credit card’s weight in microplastics per week from all sources combined, including water, food, and air. Drinking water is one contributor among many, with bottled water contributing more than tap water on a per-liter basis.

Is NYC tap water safer than bottled water?

Regarding microplastics specifically, yes. NYC tap water contains roughly 4 particles per liter compared to 94+ particles per liter in bottled water. NYC tap water also undergoes more rigorous testing than bottled water and meets all EPA drinking water standards. Filtered NYC tap water provides high quality without the microplastic contamination associated with plastic bottles.

Should our office switch from bottled water to filtered tap water?

For offices concerned about microplastics, switching to filtered tap water reduces exposure while eliminating single-use plastic waste. Point-of-use filtration systems with appropriate certifications remove microplastics effectively and provide consistent water quality without the logistics and environmental impact of bottle delivery.

What certifications should I look for in commercial water filtration?

Look for NSF/ANSI certifications. NSF 53 certifies removal of health-related contaminants. NSF 42 covers aesthetic improvements like chlorine and taste. For microplastics specifically, look for sub-micron filtration ratings and, where available, explicit microplastic reduction claims backed by test data.

How quickly can a commercial facility install point-of-use filtration?

Most commercial point-of-use filtration systems install within a single business day with minimal disruption. Protection begins immediately once systems are active. Ongoing maintenance typically includes scheduled filter replacement to maintain effectiveness.

Making the Switch: A Practical Path Forward

For commercial facilities currently relying on bottled water delivery, the research on microplastics presents a clear case for reconsideration. The irony is significant: many facilities choose bottled water believing it offers higher quality, when current evidence indicates filtered tap water actually reduces microplastic exposure.

Benefits Beyond Microplastic Reduction

Switching from bottled water to point-of-use filtration offers additional advantages for NYC Metro facilities:

• Sustainability: Eliminates single-use plastic bottles and associated carbon footprint
• Cost efficiency: Reduces ongoing delivery and storage costs
• Convenience: Unlimited supply without reordering or bottle storage logistics
• Space savings: Reclaim storage areas currently used for bottle inventory
• Employee wellness: Demonstrate commitment to health-conscious workplace practices

Addressing Sustainability Mandates

Many NYC commercial buildings now operate under sustainability requirements from landlords, corporate policies, or city regulations. Eliminating bottled water aligns with these mandates while simultaneously improving water quality. This represents a rare case where the healthier choice is also the more sustainable one.

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About HYDR8: We provide commercial water filtration systems to offices, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and commercial buildings throughout NYC and New Jersey. Our point-of-use systems use NSF-certified filtration technology to deliver clean, great-tasting water while eliminating the microplastic concerns associated with bottled water delivery.

Service Areas: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island, Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken, Westchester, and surrounding NYC Metro areas.