A RIPPLE EFFECT INITIATIVE

Clear water.
Look closer.

Explore water measurements and their sources.

Highlight a form

Move across the particles, or tap a form to highlight it.

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Try a popular ZIP code or search by utility name, city, or state.

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Particle atlas

Compare particle forms

Three forms to explore.

Fibers

Long, fine strands

Fibers from snow (a), a road surface (b), and a shredded tire (c). Dark deposits are interpreted as tire matter.

Richard L. Reynolds / USGS, JGR Atmospheres · CC BY 4.0

Examine a sample

Close-up of a Raman microscope objective and sample stage — Raman microscope.
Jamie Velkoverh / USGS · Public domain

From image to evidence

Sample examination

A useful result connects a sample, a method and a source.

Sample: Where the water came from and when it was collected.
Method: How it was examined and what was measured.
Result: The reported value, units, source, and limitations.

Return to water search

Research context

Inside a bottled-water study

Read the NIH research summary

Bottled-water study · 2024

One liter. Three bottled-water brands. A closer look at what that study found.

Published research, not a live reading or a measurement of your water.

The study examined three bottled-water brands. About 90% of the detected particles were nanoplastics.

Study scope

This average describes the tested brands, not your water. Particle counts varied; health effects remain under investigation.

Community observations

Contribute a reading

Have a water reading? Include the source, collection location, date, method, and units so someone else can understand the result.

Citizen readings stay separate from reviewed utility measurements.

Contribute a reading Explore existing water data

Example comparisonIllustrative BenchmarksNot a water assessment

How benchmark comparisons work

Fictional system levels demonstrate a comparison scale. They are not utility readings, current regulatory guidance, or safety findings.

PFOA / PFAS (Forever Chemicals)

ppt

Model units: ppt. Values below are examples, not a concentration for your water.

Example health benchmark

0.004 ppt

Example legal benchmark

4 ppt

Health example: 0.004

Legal example: 4

Fictional systemUntreated example (6.8 ppt)Treated example (4.2 ppt)

Logarithmic Scale (D3.js)

What this model can show

The same value can sit above one benchmark and below another. A missing benchmark remains unavailable; it is not zero and does not establish safety.

Actual comparisons need a reviewed sample, a documented benchmark, and compatible units.

Example value inspectorHover dots on spectrum

Hover over a plotted node to inspect its fictional value and comparison ratio.

Recent activity

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Get water alerts

Enter your ZIP and email. We'll notify you when new contaminant data is published for your area, especially if levels exceed health guidelines.

Recently added utilities

Read the evidence label

Source and review status show what evidence supports each record. Missing review or benchmark data remains unassessed; check the method, units, collection date, and source before interpreting a result.

Citizen readings

Community-submitted measurements from volunteers using the microplastics identifier.

Support the microplastics identifier

Review the fieldwork plan, funding source, and ways to contribute.

Open source on GitHub

Browse the code, file issues, or contribute on GitHub.

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