How to Remove Microplastics from Bottled Water

You're Buying Bottled Water to Be Healthier

If you buy bottled water, you probably do it because you want something clean and reliable. Maybe your tap water tastes off. Maybe you just like the convenience. There is nothing wrong with wanting good water. But here is the problem: the container your water comes in may be adding something you did not pay for.

Plastic water bottles shed tiny fragments into the water they hold. These fragments, called microplastics and nanoplastics, are so small you cannot see them, taste them, or smell them. And the research on how much is in there has gotten more alarming with every new study.

This is not a lecture about saving the oceans (though that matters too). This is about what is actually in the water you are drinking right now, and what you can do about it without completely overhauling your life.

How Many Microplastics Are in Bottled Water

In 2018, researchers at the State University of New York tested 259 bottled water brands from 11 countries. The results were striking: 93% of the bottles contained microplastic contamination, with an average of 325 particles per liter. Some bottles contained over 10,000 particles per liter. The study, led by Sherri Mason and published in Frontiers in Chemistry, was one of the first to show just how widespread the problem is.

Then came an even more unsettling finding. In January 2024, researchers at Columbia University and Rutgers University published a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences using a new imaging technique called stimulated Raman scattering microscopy. This allowed them to detect particles far smaller than previous studies could measure. They found approximately 240,000 nanoplastic particles per liter in popular bottled water brands. That is 10 to 100 times more plastic contamination than earlier estimates.

To put those numbers in perspective: if you drink the commonly recommended 2 liters of water per day from plastic bottles, that is roughly 480,000 nanoplastic particles entering your body every single day.

For comparison, tap water typically contains 5 to 15 microplastic particles per liter. That is not zero, but it is a fraction of what bottled water contains.

Why Bottled Water Has More Microplastics Than Tap

It may seem counterintuitive. Bottled water is supposed to be the premium option. So why does it contain more plastic particles than what comes out of your faucet?

There are several reasons, and they all come down to the fact that water in a plastic bottle is in constant contact with plastic.

The bottling process itself. During manufacturing, water is pumped through plastic pipes, stored in plastic tanks, and sealed into plastic bottles. Every point of contact is an opportunity for particles to shed into the water. The Mason et al. study found that microplastic contamination in bottled water was roughly double what they found in the same source water before bottling.

Heat exposure. PET plastic (the material most water bottles are made from) breaks down faster when exposed to heat. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials found that bottles stored at elevated temperatures released significantly more microplastic particles. Think about what happens to bottled water before it reaches you: it sits in warehouses, on loading docks, in delivery trucks, and sometimes on sunny store shelves. You have no way of knowing how much heat exposure your bottle endured.

Sunlight and UV exposure. Ultraviolet light accelerates plastic degradation. Bottles stored near windows, in outdoor vending machines, or in your car are breaking down faster than you think.

Physical stress. Every time a plastic bottle is squeezed, bumped, or compressed during shipping and handling, it sheds particles. The thin walls of single use bottles are especially vulnerable to this kind of mechanical breakdown.

Time on the shelf. The longer water sits in a plastic bottle, the more particles leach into it. That bottle with an expiration date a year from now? The plastic has been degrading into the water the entire time it has been sitting there.

Tap water, by contrast, travels through metal and concrete infrastructure for most of its journey. It does pick up some microplastics from the environment and from any plastic pipes in the distribution system, but the contact time and surface area are far less than water stored directly inside a plastic container.

Does the Brand Matter?

The short answer: not as much as you might hope.

The Mason et al. study tested major brands including Aquafina, Dasani, Evian, Nestle Pure Life, and San Pellegrino (plastic bottles). While there was some variation between brands, no brand in plastic packaging was free of contamination. The study found microplastics in 93% of all samples tested, with some premium brands performing no better than budget options.

The Naidu et al. (2024) study focused on three popular U.S. brands and found nanoplastic contamination across all of them. The researchers noted that the type of plastic (PET) and the bottling process itself were the primary sources, which means that brand reputation does not protect you from the fundamental problem of storing water in plastic.

Some brands market themselves with words like "purified," "triple filtered," or "spring sourced." These terms describe the water treatment process, not the packaging. The water may be perfectly clean when it enters the bottle. But the moment it contacts plastic, contamination begins.

If you must buy bottled water, the packaging material matters far more than the brand name on the label.

Glass Bottled Water: A Better Option?

Buying water in glass bottles is a meaningful step up from plastic. Glass is inert, meaning it does not shed particles into your water regardless of temperature, sunlight, or time on the shelf.

A few brands sell water in glass:

• Mountain Valley Spring Water has been selling water in glass bottles since 1871. Available in 500 mL and 1 liter glass bottles, as well as larger glass carboys for home and office delivery.
• Voss offers a glass bottle option alongside its more common plastic version. Make sure you are picking up the glass one.
• San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna are widely available in glass at restaurants and some grocery stores.
• Saratoga Spring Water is sold in distinctive blue glass bottles.
• Hildon and Lurisia are European brands sold almost exclusively in glass.

The catch? Glass bottled water is significantly more expensive, typically $2 to $5 per bottle compared to $0.50 to $1.50 for plastic. It is also heavier to transport and harder to find in convenience stores.

Glass bottled water works well for restaurants, special occasions, or people who simply prefer the buying experience. But for daily hydration, there is a more practical (and far cheaper) solution.

The Best Solution: Filter Your Own Water

Here is where we get practical. If you are a bottled water drinker, the single most impactful change you can make is to start filtering your own tap water at home and carry it with you.

This is not about going back to unfiltered tap water. It is about taking the same impulse that drives you to buy bottled water (wanting clean, good tasting water) and channeling it into something that actually works better.

A quality water filter removes the vast majority of microplastics, plus contaminants that bottled water does not even address: PFAS ("forever chemicals"), heavy metals, chlorine, and pharmaceutical residues. Bottled water is regulated by the FDA with less rigorous standards than the EPA applies to municipal tap water. A home filter gives you more control over your water quality than any brand can offer.

The key is choosing the right filter. Not all filters remove microplastics effectively. Here is what actually works.

Recommended Filters for Former Bottled Water Drinkers

If you are coming from bottled water, you probably value two things: simplicity and portability. So we will start with the easiest options and work up to the most comprehensive systems.

Pitcher Filters (Easiest Transition)

Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher (~$80, filters ~$50 every 4 months)

This is the single best starting point for someone switching from bottled water. It works exactly like a Brita (fill the top, water filters through to the bottom) but uses a proprietary carbon block filter that removes up to 99.5% of microplastics along with 99%+ of PFAS, lead, and over 365 other contaminants. It is NSF tested and independently verified. The taste is excellent. Just fill it, put it in the fridge, and pour. No plumbing required.

Brita Longlast+ Pitcher (~$35, filters ~$18 every 6 months)

If budget is the top concern, this is a decent entry point. The Longlast+ filter is significantly better than the standard Brita filter, reducing some PFAS and contaminants. However, it is not specifically tested or rated for microplastic removal. Think of it as a solid step up from nothing, but not the best option available.

Countertop Filters (No Installation)

Berkey Water Filter (Big Berkey) (~$280, filters last 3,000+ gallons)

The Big Berkey is a gravity fed stainless steel filtration system. You pour water in the top and it filters down through Black Berkey purification elements. It removes microplastics, bacteria, viruses, PFAS, heavy metals, and more. The filter elements last an extremely long time (up to 6,000 gallons per pair), which makes the cost per gallon very low over time. It does not require electricity or plumbing. The main downside is the slow filtration speed: it takes about an hour to filter a full batch.

Under Sink Reverse Osmosis (Most Thorough)

APEC ROES 50 Reverse Osmosis System (~$190, filters ~$50 per year)

If you want the most comprehensive filtration available, this is the gold standard for the price. Reverse osmosis removes 99.9% of microplastics along with virtually every other contaminant. The APEC ROES 50 installs under your kitchen sink and includes a dedicated faucet for filtered water. Installation is straightforward and takes about an hour. Once it is set up, you have unlimited clean water on demand. This is the system that makes the strongest case against bottled water: better water quality for a fraction of the cost.

Waterdrop G3P800 Reverse Osmosis System (~$350, filters ~$70 per year)

A more modern, tankless RO system that filters water on demand. It fits under the sink, wastes less water than traditional RO systems, and has a faster flow rate. The higher upfront cost is offset by better water efficiency and a slimmer profile.

Water on the Go Without Plastic

One of the biggest reasons people buy bottled water is convenience. You are out, you are thirsty, and there is a bottle right there. Making the switch means having a plan for water when you leave the house.

Stainless Steel Water Bottles

The simplest solution is to carry a stainless steel bottle filled with filtered water from home.

Klean Kanteen Classic 27oz (~$25) is a single wall, unlined stainless steel bottle with no plastic components touching the water. It is lightweight and durable.

Hydro Flask Standard Mouth 21oz (~$35) keeps water cold for up to 24 hours thanks to double wall vacuum insulation. The interior is 18/8 stainless steel with no plastic liner.

Portable Water Filters

For travel or situations where you need to filter water away from home:

LifeStraw Go Series with Filter (~$40) is a stainless steel water bottle with a built in carbon filter and membrane microfilter. It removes microplastics, bacteria, parasites, and improves taste. Fill it from any tap and drink through the filter straw.

Grayl GeoPress Purifier Bottle (~$90) uses a press mechanism to filter water in about 8 seconds. It removes microplastics, viruses, bacteria, heavy metals, and chemicals. Excellent for travel, camping, and situations where you cannot trust the water source.

Glass Water Bottles

If you prefer glass, a silicone sleeved glass bottle works well for daily carry.

Lifefactory 22oz Glass Bottle with Silicone Sleeve (~$25) is a durable borosilicate glass bottle with a protective silicone sleeve. The cap is polypropylene, but the water only contacts glass. It is dishwasher safe and holds up well to daily use.

What About Water Delivery Services and Coolers

Water delivery services with those large 3 to 5 gallon jugs are a common middle ground for people who do not trust their tap water. Here is what to know about them.

Polycarbonate jugs (the hard blue plastic ones used by most delivery services) are better than single use PET bottles. They are thicker, more durable, and reused many times. However, many polycarbonate jugs contain BPA, and they still leach microplastics, especially as the jugs age, get scratched, and are exposed to sunlight during delivery.

BPA free jugs made from newer plastics like Tritan (copolyester) are increasingly common. They eliminate the BPA concern but can still shed microplastic particles over time.

Glass carboy delivery services do exist in some areas. Mountain Valley Spring Water, for example, offers 5 gallon glass bottle delivery. If you can find a glass delivery service in your area, this is the cleanest delivery option available.

Water coolers present a separate issue: most use plastic reservoirs, plastic tubing, and plastic faucets internally. Even if the jug itself is glass, the water still passes through plastic components inside the cooler. A bottleless water cooler connected to your home water line with a built in RO or carbon block filter eliminates the jug entirely and provides continuous filtered water.

Overall, delivery services are a step in the right direction compared to cases of single use plastic bottles, but they still involve significant plastic contact. Filtering your own water at home remains the cleanest and most cost effective approach.

The Cost Comparison

One of the strongest arguments for switching from bottled water to filtered water is the math. Let us break it down for a household of two adults drinking about 2 liters of water per day each.

An under sink reverse osmosis system pays for itself in about two months compared to buying premium bottled water. Even compared to budget bottled water, it breaks even within six months. And you get significantly cleaner water in the process.

Add in the cost of a stainless steel water bottle for on the go use (~$25 to $35, one time purchase), and you have a complete system that costs a fraction of what bottled water costs over time.

Quick Action Plan

Here is a simple step by step plan for transitioning away from bottled water. You do not need to do everything at once.

This week:

• Stop leaving plastic water bottles in your car or anywhere they get hot. If you still have plastic bottles around, store them in a cool, dark place and drink them sooner rather than later.
• Order a stainless steel or glass water bottle for daily carry.

Within two weeks:

• Get a pitcher filter. A Clearly Filtered pitcher is the easiest starting point. Fill it, refrigerate it, and start using it instead of buying bottles.
• Check your local water quality at ewg.org/tapwater to understand what is in your tap water.

Within a month or two:

• Consider upgrading to an under sink reverse osmosis system for the best long term solution.
• Get a portable filtered water bottle for travel and on the go use.
• Cancel any plastic water bottle subscriptions or delivery services.

Ongoing:

• Replace your water filter cartridges on schedule. A neglected filter is worse than no filter because it can become a breeding ground for bacteria.
• Store filtered water in glass or stainless steel, never plastic containers.

The Bottom Line

Bottled water in plastic is not the clean, premium product it appears to be. It contains dramatically more microplastics and nanoplastics than tap water, costs 200 to 1,000 times more per gallon, and the contamination level increases the longer the water sits in the bottle and the more heat or sunlight it is exposed to.

The good news is that switching is straightforward. A quality water filter (even a simple pitcher) removes far more contaminants than any bottled water brand can claim to avoid. Pair that with a stainless steel or glass bottle, and you have cleaner water, lower costs, and significantly less microplastic exposure.

You started buying bottled water because you wanted something better. Now you know how to actually get it.

Frequently Asked Questions