Microplastics Are Often Confused with Sediment or Hardness, But They Are Different
Many households associate water-quality issues with sediment buildup or mineral hardness. Unlike these, microplastics are tiny synthetic particles that may originate from surface water sources like rivers and reservoirs. Glendale’s water system in Maricopa County relies exclusively on surface water, which can be more exposed to microplastic contamination in the environment compared to groundwater. However, no federal or local government dataset currently monitors microplastics in Glendale's water system, so their presence at any individual tap remains unmeasured.
Households with Higher Water Use May Experience Limits with Older Filtration Setups
For a household of typical size, existing water treatment equipment might handle particle filtration adequately. Yet, when the household grows larger, includes a second home, or operates seasonally with fluctuating demand, the volume of water passing through filters increases. This can reduce the effectiveness of older equipment at removing microplastic particles within the water supply, since microplastics are microscopic and require specialized filtration capacity that matches daily household water use.
How the Autotrol Microplastics Filter Works to Address Particle Concerns
The Autotrol Microplastics Filter is designed to directly target microscopic synthetic particles that conventional equipment may not remove fully. Using advanced filtration technology, it captures microplastics from the water as it passes through the system. The filter ships ready to configure with your household water supply, making it possible to upgrade your treatment capability without replacing existing plumbing. This addresses the gap where current equipment may not keep up with the volume or size of particles effectively.
Source Water Type Influences Microplastics Expectations and Testing Needs
Because Glendale’s public water system draws entirely from surface water sources, particles like microplastics are a recognized concern globally, though not yet directly measured for this system. Surface water is more vulnerable than groundwater to environmental contamination, including microplastics originating from urban runoff or nearby waste sources. Without specific monitoring for microplastics, the only way to determine their presence in your household supply is to conduct specialized independent testing focusing on particle identification.
What You Should Note Before Pursuing Treatment Options
- Confirm your household’s daily water use to understand treatment capacity needs.
- Consider whether your current equipment was designed to capture microscopic particles like microplastics.
- Evaluate whether recent water quality reports for Glendale’s public water system, which show no health-based violations, reflect your household’s actual water condition or if additional testing is warranted.
- Document any water quality issues such as unexplained particulates or filter clogging that may suggest microplastic presence beyond standard sediment.
When you have a clear picture of your household demand and water quality status, the Autotrol Microplastics Filter offers a documented solution that enhances your system’s ability to reduce microplastic particles effectively. This filter is ready to configure for your home and helps ensure your treatment keeps pace with your water use needs.
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 GLENDALE CITY OF (AZ0407093), surface water supply, serving 234766 people: 0 health-based violations of 46 total; lead 90th percentile 0.00155 mg/L