Micro and Nanoplastics in East Bay Water: What You Need To Know
By True Water
Serving the East Bay with clean, sustainable water for over 7 years
What Are Microplastics and Nanoplastics?
Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments less than 5mm in size, while nanoplastics are even smaller — invisible to the naked eye and capable of passing through most standard filtration systems. These particles originate from plastic packaging, synthetic textiles, cosmetics, and the breakdown of larger plastic waste. They're now found in oceans, air, soil — and drinking water.
Are Microplastics in East Bay Drinking Water?
The hard answer is yes, they are in just about everything we consume. While East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) adheres to strict water treatment standards, microplastics and nanoplastics can still enter tap water through outdated plumbing, municipal run-off, and contamination during water transportation. In fact, recent studies show microplastics are present in over 90% of global bottled and tap water samples (Source: Orb Media, 2017).
A 2022 study by the San Francisco Estuary Institute found that Bay Area waterways contain alarming levels of microplastic pollution, with the highest concentrations near urbanized and industrial zones — including parts of Oakland, Richmond, and Berkeley. These particles can enter water sources that ultimately feed into municipal supplies.
Health Concerns: Why This Matters
Microplastics are not just a pollution issue — they are a health concern.
They can absorb and carry toxic chemicals like PCBs and heavy metals
They may disrupt endocrine function and immune response
Studies have linked exposure to digestive issues, hormone disruption, and potential reproductive harm
Sensitive groups such as children, pregnant women, and pets may be especially vulnerable to long-term exposure.
How Do Microplastics Enter Your Tap Water?
Even if EBMUD's treatment plants remove many contaminants, water still travels through:
Aging household pipes, which can shed plastic particles and harbor buildup
Municipal pipelines vulnerable to leaching and contamination
Plastic storage tanks or fixtures, which degrade over time
Add in agricultural and industrial runoff and it becomes clear: East Bay households are not immune.
What’s Being Done Locally?
The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and organizations like Save the Bay are working to reduce plastic pollution through legislation and public education. But until widespread filtration and waste reduction systems are implemented, the burden falls on residents to protect their own homes.
Berkeley, Oakland, and other East Bay communities are now encouraging water-conscious and eco-friendly living, including home filtration as part of broader sustainability goals.
How True Water Helps
At True Water, we offer eco-friendly water purification systems designed to tackle modern contaminants — including microplastics and chemical residues.
Our filters are:
Built with organic coconut carbon and catalytic carbon technology
Engineered to reduce contaminants down to the sub-micron level
Ideal for households with children, pets, and elderly residents
Effective in improving taste, odor, and health outcomes
By addressing East Bay water contamination solutions directly, we help families reduce their exposure to invisible threats.
Benefits Beyond Safety
Investing in home filtration offers more than health benefits:
Plastic waste reduction through home filtration
Cost-effective water solutions for businesses and homes
Lead and copper removal systems that enhance water quality overall
Protects appliances and improves energy efficiency
One True Water system can replace thousands of plastic bottles per year — a win for your wallet and the environment.
Take Action
If you live in the East Bay — from Alameda to Walnut Creek to Contra Costa — it’s time to take water quality seriously. Let True Water provide you with a system tailored to your family’s needs.
Protect your health. Preserve the environment. Drink with peace of mind.
Want to learn more? Contact us today for a free water quality assessment and customized system recommendations.
Clean Water. Clear Impact.
Sources:
Orb Media (2017 – Microplastics in Drinking Water Study)
https://orbmedia.org/stories/Invisibles_plasticsSan Francisco Estuary Institute – Microplastics Pollution Report (2022)
https://www.sfei.org/projects/bay-microplasticsSave The Bay – Plastic Pollution & Water Quality Advocacy
https://www.savesfbay.org/Ecology Center – Water Quality in Urban Communities (Berkeley-based)
https://ecologycenter.org/factsheets/water-quality-in-urban-communities/Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) – Regional Water Quality Resources
https://abag.ca.gov/