Do Water Filters Remove Microplastics?

What are microplastics, and why are they in our water?

Microplastics are exactly what they sound like: tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimetres long, often invisible to the naked eye. Some are fragments from larger plastic waste. Others are intentionally manufactured at microscopic sizes for use in cosmetics, clothing, packaging, and industrial processes.

They’re now everywhere, including in our water. ScienceDirect found microplastics have been detected in marine ecosystems, rivers and drinking water. A 2024 study found microplastics present in nearly every tap water sample tested globally, including those from Australia’s water supplies.

Microplastics can take many forms:

• Fibres (from synthetic clothes or laundry)
• Fragments (from broken-down packaging or plastic containers)
• Beads and pellets (used in manufacturing and cosmetics)

To give you a sense of scale: some microplastics are thinner than a human hair at just 1 micron wide (or 0.001mm). That’s thousands of times smaller than a sesame seed.

Now, the first question to answer isn’t “Do water filters remove microplastics?”, but: should we remove microplastics?

Are microplastics harmful to our health?

Long story short, the science isn’t clear yet. But microplastics are raising important questions. And as science catches up to their widespread presence, one thing is clear: they’re turning up in places they shouldn’t be.

In recent years, microplastics have been detected in tap water, bottled water, table salt, seafood and even the air we breathe. They’re even showing up in our bodies. They’ve been found in human lungs, blood, and placental tissue – a sign of how easily they move through our environment and into our bodies.

So, what does that mean for your health?

The honest answer is: we don’t know everything yet. But early research points to three key concerns.

1. They may carry harmful chemicals

According to a detailed review on the effects of microplastics on human health, microplastics can attract substances like PFAS, pesticides, and heavy metals (all of which are known to disrupt human health). Once inside your body, they may release these chemicals into surrounding tissues.

2. They may trigger inflammation or cellular stress

Some animal studies have linked microplastic exposure to inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell damage. It’s important to note that it’s not yet clear if these effects apply to humans. But they do raise important questions about long-term exposure.

3. They may disrupt hormone or immune function

Microplastics can carry endocrine-disrupting chemicals, prompting researchers to explore whether they may interfere with hormone regulation or immune response over time.

While these risks are potentially concerning, we need to be very clear: the World Health Organisation currently states that microplastic levels in drinking water pose a low risk to human health. It’s not time to become alarmed.

Becoming better informed can help us all to make the right choice for ourselves and our families. The WHO also stresses that more research is needed, and that removing microplastics from water is a sensible, precautionary step.

In Australia, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) echoes that view, recommending better filtration and proactive management of emerging contaminants like microplastics and PFAS. You can find guidance in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

In short, microplastics probably aren’t going away anytime soon. But filtering them out of your drinking water is one simple, proactive step you can take to reduce exposure and feel more confident about what’s in your glass.

Do water filters remove microplastics?

Yes, but only the right ones. Microplastics are incredibly small (often narrower than a human hair or even a red blood cell), so not every filter is up to the job. Some simply aren’t designed for particles this small.

That’s why it’s important to understand what sets effective filters apart. Pore size, filtration stages, and filter technology all play a role in determining whether microplastics actually get removed.

In the next section, we’ll break down the main types of water filters and explain which ones can remove microplastics.

Which water filters remove microplastics?

To remove microplastics from drinking water, a filter needs to physically block particles. Remember, some of these are so small we can’t see them. That means only certain filters with fine enough pore structures and advanced filtration technologies are up to the task.

Let’s look at the most common filter types and how they stack up.

1. Reverse osmosis (RO)

How it works: Uses a semipermeable membrane with tiny pores (typically around 0.0001 microns) to remove nearly all contaminants – including microplastics, PFAS, salts, and bacteria.

Microplastic removal: Highly effective

Considerations: Excellent for comprehensive filtration, but often bulky, requires multiple stages, can waste significant amounts of water during operation and removes essential minerals which can lead to deficiencies unless remineralised.

2. Ultrafiltration (UF)

How it works: Uses a hollow fibre membrane with pore sizes typically between 0.01 and 0.1 microns. It filters out most microplastics, bacteria, and some viruses (without removing beneficial minerals).

Microplastic removal: Effective

Considerations: More water-efficient than RO and great for households wanting powerful physical filtration without full mineral removal, however can block up quickly due to the small pore size.

3. Activated carbon filters

How it works: Adsorbs chemicals, chlorine, and organic compounds to improve taste and smell. Standard pore sizes range from 0.5 to 10 microns, which is sometimes too large to block microplastics.

Microplastic removal: Sometimes, but not always

Considerations: Look for carbon block filters with lower sub-micron ratings. Many jug-style filters or basic tap attachments fall short unless specifically certified for microplastic removal.

4. Sediment filters

How it works: Acts as a first-stage filter to catch large debris like sand, rust, or dirt.

Microplastic removal: Not effective

Considerations: These are designed for pre-filtration and should always be paired with finer filters to target microplastics.

5. Ceramic filters

How it works: Use natural ceramic materials with small, consistent pore sizes (sometimes down to 0.2 microns).

Microplastic removal: Can be effective, depending on design

Considerations: Great at physical filtration, but slower flow rate. Often used in gravity-fed systems or paired with carbon for chemical reduction.

So that answers the question about what water filters remove microplastics. Now, let’s look closer at the things that affect how well a filter does (or doesn’t) work.

Factors that affect microplastic removal

As you can see, not all filters that claim to clean your water are capable of removing microplastics. So, is there one type of water filter that removes microplastics better than others? No. The difference often comes down to a mix of fine technical details – especially the pore size, filter configuration, and independent certification.

1. Pore size

This is the single most important factor. Microplastics can be smaller than 1 micron. So to physically remove them, a filter’s pore size must be smaller than the particles you’re targeting.

1 micron or larger: May miss many microplastics

Sub-micron (0.5 micron): Catches larger particles, but not all

Sub-micron (0.2 micron) or smaller: Ideal for reducing microplastics effectively

Zip’s MicroPurity filtration uses a 0.2 micron filter. That’s fine enough to reduce microplastics, asbestos fibres, and other harmful contaminants you can’t see, smell, or taste.

2. Filter type and technology

Some filters rely on adsorption (like activated carbon), while others use physical barriers (like ceramic or ultrafiltration membranes). When it comes to microplastic removal, physical barriers are essential.

That’s why ultrafiltration, ceramic, and Zip’s sub-micron filters outperform simple jug filters or loose granular carbon.

Combine technologies for better results: Many high-performance filters layer multiple technologies to target both physical particles and chemical contaminants. That means more thorough, more trustworthy results.

3. Number of filtration stages

Multi-stage filtration systems combine different filters to target a range of contaminants – from chlorine and taste issues to microscopic plastics and PFAS.

Here’s why it matters:

• A sediment pre-filter catches larger debris
• A fine membrane removes particles like microplastics
• Activated carbon reduces odours and chemical residues

More stages = more comprehensive protection (but only if each stage has been tested and certified for its function).

4. Independent certification

Any filter can claim to be effective. What matters is independent testing and credible certification.

Look for:

• NSF/ANSI 42 – For aesthetic claims (taste, chlorine, odour)
• NSF/ANSI 53 – For health claims (like PFAS, lead or asbestos)
• NSF/ANSI 401: For Emerging Compounds/Incidental Contaminants (like Microplastics)

Zip Water’s filtration systems are independently tested to strict performance standards, and our MicroPurity 93701 & 93702 filters are certified to reduce 99.4% of total PFAS*, as well as eight common contaminants including microplastics and asbestos fibres. Learn more about Zip Water’s MicroPurity filtration and how it removes 99.4% of total PFAS*.

Do you need a multi-stage system?

If your goal is to reduce microplastics (and other invisible contaminants), then yes, a multi-stage filtration system is one of the smartest choices you can make.

Why? Because not all contaminants are the same. Some are microscopic solids, like microplastics. Others are dissolved chemicals, like PFAS. And some, like chlorine, just affect taste and smell. Each requires a different type of filter to be effectively removed.

Multi-stage filtration removes microplastics and other contaminants more effectively. It layers different technologies to catch a broader range of unwanted elements – without sacrificing flow rate or water quality.

Here’s how it works:

• Sediment pre-filters catch rust, dirt and larger particles
• Sub-micron filtration targets microplastics, asbestos, and even PFAS in the highest quality filters
• Activated carbon improves taste and removes chlorine, odours and some chemical residues

When these filters are combined into a single compact system, you get cleaner, better-tasting water. But not all multi-stage systems are created equal. Look for systems that clearly explain the function of each stage and are tested or certified to remove specific contaminants (not just improve taste).

Zip’s HydroTap does just that. Independently tested and backed by performance standards, it gives you advanced, layered protection in a streamlined under-bench system. Let’s look closer.

How can Zip’s MicroPurity filtration help?

Zip Water’s HydroTap uses MicroPurity filtration. It’s a multi-stage system designed to remove contaminants down to 0.2 microns, including microplastics, asbestos fibres, and dirt. It also tackles chlorine and odours, improving the taste of every glass.

But what sets it apart is its ability to address what we can’t see (or predict). In independent lab tests, MicroPurity filtration reduced 99.4% of total PFAS* from drinking water, offering protection from some of the most persistent compounds found in the environment today.

It’s a level of filtration that responds to the times we live in – where trust in water quality matters more than ever.

You can learn more about MicroPurity filtration, or explore the HydroTap range to see how it fits into your kitchen. Need help deciding? The HydroTap Selector Tool is a great place to start.

* Zip MicroPurity filters sizes 1 and 1.5 (93701 and 93702) are certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 to reduce 99.4% of Total PFAS (average reduction).