Is There Microplastic in the Water You Drink Every Day? 3 Practical Tips to Reduce It

Think bottled water is safe? You might be surprised. From rooftop tanks to monsoon rains, here's what I learned—and what you can do—about microplastics in everyday drinking water.

Is There Microplastic in the Water You Drink Every Day? 3 Practical Tips to Reduce It

Did you know your bottled or tap water might contain tens of thousands of microplastic particles? From filtering tap water to avoiding plastic bottles in extreme temperatures, here are three practical ways to reduce your exposure—along with insights from my personal experience.

Even bottled water contains plastic right now...

How Microplastics Harm the Body

• They carry pollutants: Microplastics absorb toxic substances from the environment and carry them into your body.
• They accumulate in the body: Plastic particles may cause inflammation and disrupt immune functions.
• They interfere with hormones: Microplastics can disturb the endocrine system and impact reproductive health. A doctor once told me how menstrual and reproductive issues have increased with plastic exposure.
• They damage ecosystems: Once in rivers and oceans, they harm marine life and eventually return to humans through the food chain.

Common Sources of Microplastics

• Bottled water (PET containers)
• Cosmetics (scrubs, sunscreens, eyeshadows)
• Seafood
• Airborne dust
• Synthetic fabrics (polyester, nylon)
• Single-use plastic products
• Plastic food packaging

It shocked me to learn that even synthetic clothes and airborne dust can be sources. That means we might be breathing them in, too!

3 Practical Tips to Reduce Microplastics in Drinking Water

1. Use a water purifier instead of bottled water: In many countries, filtered tap water is safer than bottled water. I use a purifier at home, not because I don’t trust the city’s water, but because my apartment is older, with rooftop tanks and pipes that might affect quality. (Seoul tap water info)
2. Avoid heating or freezing bottled water: Extreme temperatures degrade plastic, increasing particle release. I used to freeze big PET bottles for summer use in my studio—not realizing I might be drinking plastic shards. It was an eye-opener.
3. Boil hard water if needed: In hard water areas, boiling can help clump and settle microplastics. (Note: Korea generally has soft water, so this method may not be necessary here.)

The Role of Rain and Monsoons in Microplastic Pollution

Rain might seem refreshing, but it also washes microplastics from the air and city surfaces into rivers and reservoirs. During monsoon season, this problem worsens.

• In Shiraz (Iran), one monsoon rain dropped around 260 microplastic particles per square meter in 30 minutes. (ResearchGate)
• In Xiamen (China), beach plastic levels dropped after rain, showing they were flushed out to sea. (PMC Article)
• Calgary (Canada) stormwater contained up to 200 microplastic particles per liter. (Frontiers)

This means rain doesn’t just clear the air—it can make our water more contaminated unless well filtered. That’s why cleaning home water tanks and using nanofiltration is crucial during rainy seasons.

What Can We Do During the Rainy Season?

• Clean water tanks and filters regularly: Rooftop or underground tanks can collect runoff particles.
• Use fine-particle filters: Especially in older buildings, microplastics can enter through degraded pipes.
• Avoid untreated rainwater: Even rain can contain plastic particles—filter before any use.

Tap Water and Microplastic Exposure by Region

Region	Tap Water Status	Microplastic Exposure	Sources
South Korea	High-quality tap water (Arisu); purifier use common due to old pipes or water tanks.	Medium – bottled water culture increases risk.	Seoul Solution
Japan	Tap water is trusted; low bottled water consumption.	High – via seafood.	SF Chronicle
China	Water is treated but many prefer boiled or bottled water.	High – average of 440±275 microplastic particles per liter.	PubMed
Southeast Asia	Tap water often unreliable; coastal pollution prevalent.	High – major rivers show plastic contamination.	APN-GCR Bulletin
India	Water purifier use is essential in many regions.	High – microplastics found in freshwater lakes and air.	Springer
United States	Large regional differences; from glacial sources to aging pipes.	Medium – microplastics found in rain, lakes, and urban systems.	Washington Post

Water quality test result from Seoul Waterworks (July 2, 2025) 

Final Thoughts

When I saw the test results from the Seoul Waterworks office visit today—showing no issues with turbidity, chlorine, acidity, or metals—I felt reassured. Clean water is possible. But it still requires maintenance and awareness, especially in older buildings like mine.

I used to think plastic waste was someone else's problem. Now I see it's everyone's responsibility. It’s in the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe.

Let’s start with one small step—because even a small change can make a big difference.

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Tags: #microplastics #drinkingwater #waterquality #environment #health #tapwater #plasticpollution #watertips #asiawater #rainyseason