Microplastics State-of-the-Science Assessment
AWWA’s new report summarizes the current state-of-the-science with respect to microplastics in water supplies, with findings intended to articulate and prioritize remaining research needs.
Water Resources Planning & Sustainability
Microplastics State-of-the-Science Assessment
State-of-the-Science Assessment
AWWA and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), in collaboration with Arcadis, released a report titled Microplastics State-of-the-Science Assessment. Despite increased public awareness and a growing body of research across various topics, substantial information gaps remain in our understanding of the comprehensive risks associated with microplastics in drinking water.
This report summarizes the current state-of-the-science with respect to microplastics in water supplies, with findings intended to articulate and prioritize remaining research needs.
Get the Report
Please fill out the form to access the white paper.
Key Insights
- The report synthesizes the state–of–the–science for microplastics across several topic areas, including drinking water occurrence, sampling, analytical methods, treatment, source control, health effects, and environmental impact.
- Research should prioritize the examination of nanoplastics (microplastics ranging in size from 1 – 1,000 nm) to the extent feasible, as they are currently far less understood than plastic particulates > 1,000 nm (1 µm).
- Analytical methods and health effects were deemed to be the highest priority areas for the advancement of future research on microplastics.
- Research priorities are interdependent and must progress in tandem in order to prove valuable in advancing the scientific conversation around microplastics.
Educational Session at WQTC
Tuesday, November 17, 2026 | 1:30-5:00 p.m.
Join AWWA at the Water Quality Technology Conference (WQTC) in Memphis, Tennessee, from November 15-19, 2026, and attend a special session on microplastics, presented by Brent Alspach.
This session will focus on topics from microplastic occurrence to toxicity, transport, and treatment to the various nuances of treating microplastics in drinking water.
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