Home⇛Scientific Augustinian⇛vol. 15 no. 1 (2025)

Occurrence of Microplastics in Drinking Water from Selected Water Refilling Stations Under Different Water Sources and Filtration Configurations

Caira Faith A. Landabora | John Kelly A. Dali-os | Nathaniel A. Delos Reyes | Koleen Rei M. Escalante | Ezylryb V. Menez | Lance Eliezer D. Santillan | Janno P. Tugaff | Christy Ann G Banguanga

Discipline: environmental sciences

 

Abstract:

This preliminary study examined microplastic contamination in drinking water obtained from selected water refilling stations in a city in the Philippines. Specifically, it aimed to assess observed microplastic abundance across different water sources and filtration methods and to evaluate potential differences among them. An exploratory descriptive-comparative design was employed, wherein 5-liter water samples were collected from three selected water refilling stations representing both deep-well and municipal water sources. The sampled stations utilized different filtration systems, including 21-stage filtration, 32-stage filtration combined with reverse osmosis (RO), and RO alone. The findings descriptively indicated that the municipal water sample contained 6 microplastic particles, whereas deep-well water samples contained only 3–4 particles, suggesting relatively higher observed microplastic counts in municipal water sources. In terms of filtration methods, the station utilizing multi-stage filtration combined with reverse osmosis exhibited the lowest observed microplastic count, with 3 detected particles. Statistical analyses, specifically one-way ANOVA and Chi-square tests of independence, revealed no statistically significant differences in microplastic abundance across water sources (F = 2.89, p = 0.152) or filtration methods (F = 2.89, p = 0.152), and no significant relationship between water source and filtration method in relation to microplastic abundance (χ² = 1.82, p = 0.403). However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the limited sample size, exploratory design, and non-independent quadrant observations. Overall, the results indicate the presence of microplastics in water distributed through refilling stations, suggesting that current purification methods may not consistently eliminate microplastic contaminants. The findings underscore the importance of continuous monitoring and the improvement of water treatment protocols. This study aims to support local policymakers, inform the Department of Health regarding water safety considerations, and raise community awareness about drinking water quality issues. Future research should incorporate larger sample sizes, standardized analytical procedures, and advanced polymer identification techniques to strengthen the reliability and generalizability of findings.



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