Microplastic analytics for municipal and industrial wastewater and water bodies

Cost-effective and comparable: On the trail of microplastics in the environment.

Wasser 3.0 detect puts an end to the current "blind mode" of (waste)water purification. Conventional methods for microplastic detection are very complicated and expensive and are therefore only used to a limited extent. They are not suitable for continuous monitoring and large-scale deployment.

Our simple and fast analytical method enables standardized continuous monitoring of microplastic loads in (waste)water treatment processes, which brings enormous progress in terms of removal and resource efficiency. Sampling in other water bodies is also possible with our sampling kit.

Detecting microplastics in municipal and industrial wastewater and other water bodies (lakes, rivers)

With Wasser 3.0 detect, we have developed a simple and fast analysis method that enables standardised continuous monitoring of microplastic contamination in (waste) water treatment processes for the first time.

This not only brings enormous progress with regard to the evaluation of removal and resource efficiency, but also provides the possibility of comprehensive, standardised data collection.

Microplastic detection using fluorescence dyes

The detection of microplastics in (waste)water is done using specially developed fluorescent markers. These are added to the water sample, which contains both microplastics and other particles.

The markers selectively stain microplastic particles (strong fluorescence), but not natural particles (these show no or only a negligible fluorescence signal).

Fluorescence images are taken, which are automatically evaluated to determine the number of microplastic particles in the sample.

The special feature for fast, reliable, and cost-effective microplastic detection, lies in the fluorescence markers developed and patented by Wasser 3.0, which have been tried and tested in numerous research projects on various types of water, including extensive analyses of the receiving water (outlet shaft) of municipal wastewater treatment plants.

Mobility and flexibility: sampling with Wasser 3.0’s Particle Sampling Unit (PSU)

Large sample volumes (0.1 m³ - 10 m³) are required to reliably determine microplastic loads in different (waste)waters.

Wasser 3.0 has developed a special sampling unit (Particle Sampling Unit, PSU) to enable comparable sampling of sewage wastewater and other waters.

Complete service for sampling, detection, and reporting

Wasser 3.0 offers an all-round service for the detection of microplastic contamination in municipal and industrial wastewaters. After making an appointment,

Wasser 3.0 takes care of the rest. The detection technology is based on fluorescent markers and enables fast, cost-effective, comparable, and scientifically validated microplastic monitoring.

Further information

More news in our blog

22. March 2024

World Water day 2024 in the plastic age

We've all heard of the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age. But what era are we actually living in today? Perhaps most likely the "plastic age", also known as the Anthropocene ("determined by man"). The age of the disposable society began with the introduction of polymers and plastics into everyday life. And with it came the great promise that cheap plastic products would eliminate the need for laborious cleaning and repairs as well as numerous costs, such as those for transport. And so it was, but unfortunately for far too long people forgot to consider what happens at the end of a product (disposal) or to produce, process, use, and recycle products in a circular manner and beyond internal processes.
14. March 2024

Outlook: Water for Peace – World Water Day 2024

World Water Day celebrates water, teaches us about the importance of water in different contexts, and guides our thoughts and raises awareness of the more than 2.2 billion people worldwide who live without access to clean water. World Water Day is about raising the visibility and recognizing the value of water as well as taking action to protect water and tackle the global water crisis.
8. March 2024

WASoMI training platform launched

As an interdisciplinary team of experts on a mission for water without microplastics, it is our pleasure and concern to share our knowledge and make it accessible to the next generation in the simplest and most appealing way possible. The basis for FREIRÄUME is provided by the scientifically sound digital-real educational space WASoMI. Our chemists, environmental scientists and sustainability experts have contributed their knowledge to it. Thanks to the support of the Postcode Lottery participants, we were able to implement the FREIRÄUME project last year and take the wealth of knowledge about water without microplastics to the next level.