What a Certified Laboratory Test for Microplastics Reports and How to Read It
Microplastics Test Results List Particle Size and Count
Laboratories analyze water samples for microplastics by counting plastic particles and measuring their sizes, often reported as particles per liter above a minimum size threshold. These reports indicate how many tiny plastic fragments are present but do not measure chemical toxicity.
Reports Do Not Specify Health Standards or Limits
No federal or state standards currently define safe or unsafe microplastics levels in drinking water. A test result only shows presence and concentration; it does not determine if water is harmful.
Which Fixtures, Appliances, or Processes Are Affected First and Why
Taps and Showerheads Can Develop Residue
Microplastics may accumulate visibly or microscopically on faucet aerators and showerheads first, affecting flow or causing minor deposits.
Ice Makers and Coffee Machines Might Show Early Signs
Plastic particles can bypass some filters and settle in appliances that dispense water directly, potentially affecting taste or equipment longevity.
What Distinguishes Microplastics from Two Commonly Confused Problems
Different from Sediment Particles
Sediment consists of mineral or organic particles, generally larger and heavier, while microplastics are synthetic plastic fragments invisible to the naked eye.
Unlike Chemical Contaminants
Chemicals dissolve in water and require different treatment methods; microplastics are solid particles requiring filtration technologies designed specifically to capture them.
How Microplastics Enter Groundwater or the Distribution System in Buncombe County
Originates Mainly from Surface Water Sources
Asheville’s water system depends on surface water, which can collect microplastics from urban runoff, wastewater discharge, and atmospheric deposition before entering treatment.
No Direct Monitoring Data for Microplastics in the Asheville Water System
The Environmental Protection Agency and local authorities do not currently track microplastics in this system, so individual testing is needed to know household water quality regarding plastic particles.
Maintenance Rhythm of the Documented Technology in Plain Terms
Regular Filter Cartridge Replacement
The C-Series Microplastics Filter ships ready to configure and requires changing cartridges according to usage and water quality, typically several times per year, to maintain effectiveness.
Simple Cleaning Procedures
Periodic cleaning of pre-filters or strainers helps prevent clogging and ensures the microplastics filter continues to capture particles efficiently.
What 'Detected', 'Median', and 'Range' Mean in the Sampling Record on This Page
'Detected' Means Microplastics Were Measured If Tested
Detection means instruments found some plastic particles, but the system has not reported microplastics data, so no detection status exists for Asheville water.
'Median' Shows the Middle Value in a Dataset
If many samples exist, the median is the middle concentration value, giving an idea of typical levels—but this applies only where microplastics are tested.
'Range' Indicates Lowest to Highest Observed Values
The range helps show variability in microplastics presence over time or locations, important for understanding consistency or spikes.
Testing to Clarify Your Household’s Microplastics Level
Order a certified laboratory microplastics analysis of your household water. A report showing particle counts and size distribution will clarify whether plastic fragments are present in your water supply and at what levels. This test is the key to deciding if a C-Series Microplastics Filter is an appropriate step for your home’s water quality management.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2025-12-31. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA SDWIS record for ASHEVILLE CITY OF (NC0111010), surface water supply, serving 157431 people: 2 health-based violations of 6 total; lead 90th percentile 0 mg/L