What a Lab Report Actually Shows About Microplastics in Tap Water
Laboratory tests for microplastics typically detail the size, shape, polymer type, and concentration of plastic particles found in a water sample. These reports provide specific data about the sample tested but do not apply universally to every household. For residents in New Castle, Wilmington served by Veolia Water Delaware, Inc., there is currently no government monitoring data on microplastics in this public system. Any lab report for your specific water must come from independent testing of your home's supply.
How the Fleck System Removes Microplastics From Household Water
The Fleck Microplastics Filter uses specialized filtration technology designed to capture microscopic plastic particles. It employs mechanical filtration with fine media capable of removing particles commonly classified as microplastics. This system ships ready to configure for residential use, providing a reliable method to reduce potential microplastic content in your tap water after you confirm presence through testing.
Why Microplastics Are Different From Turbidity and Sediment Issues
Microplastics consist of tiny synthetic polymer particles, often invisible without microscopy, whereas turbidity and sediment relate to suspended or settled natural particulates like dirt or rust visible to the eye or measured by standard clarity tests. Turbidity and sediment are regularly monitored by the water system; microplastics detection requires specialized laboratory analysis. Thus, addressing microplastics requires different diagnostic and treatment approaches than sediment or turbidity.
Why Public Water System Records Are Not the Same as Private Well Testing
The public water system record for Veolia Water Delaware, Inc. covers system-wide parameters and treatment processes but does not include microplastic data. It reflects the surface water source feeding thousands of connections in New Castle and Wilmington, describing parameters like lead levels and treatment types. However, it does not specify conditions within an individual home’s plumbing or tap. Private well users must obtain direct testing of their water to understand local microplastic presence.
How Plumbing Materials and Age Affect Microplastic Differences in Homes
Microplastics can originate not only from the source water but also from internal plumbing materials breaking down or shedding particles over time. Older pipes or plastic-based fixtures may contribute microplastic particles independent of source water quality. Understanding whether microplastics originate from supply versus plumbing requires testing at various points — at entry to the home and at taps.
What 'Detected', 'Median', and 'Range' Mean in the Public Water Record
In government water quality records, terms like 'detected' indicate an analytical instrument measured the presence of a substance, but that alone does not imply a health issue or regulatory violation. Median and range statistics describe typical or variable levels found in samples, which is important context for understanding fluctuations. For microplastics, no such federal or system-level data currently exist for this public water supply.
How Microplastics Could Enter Water in Surface-Source Regions Like New Castle
Surface water sources in urbanized regions, including New Castle, may encounter microplastic contamination from stormwater runoff, wastewater effluents, and atmospheric deposition. These particles may enter source waters prior to treatment. Although the water system employs several treatment processes, microplastic monitoring is not yet federally mandated or regularly performed. Household filtration offers an additional barrier where needed.
Veolia Water Delaware, Inc. serves over 100,000 people in New Castle and Wilmington using surface water and has no recorded EPA health-based violations as of December 2023. For detailed system data, refer to the official EPA public water system record available online. Understanding your own water’s microplastic status requires specific testing and can be aided by filtration solutions such as the Fleck Microplastics Filter, designed to address this emerging concern at home.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2023-12-31. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA SDWIS record for VEOLIA WATER DELAWARE, INC (DE0000564), surface water supply, serving 100495 people: 0 health-based violations of 1 total; lead 90th percentile 0.002 mg/L
- ✓ 90-Day Money-BackNo restocking fees — return within 90 days.
- ✓ Manufacturer WarrantyGenuine Fleck · Pentair · VIQUA equipment.
- ✓ Free Expert SizingTalk to a specialist and buy the right system the first time.