Microplastics analysis for municipal & industrial wastewater, water monitoring and special environments and applications

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

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 analytics 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, in water bodies and special applications 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 and transfer projects on various types of water, including extensive analyses of the receiving water (outlet shaft) of municipal wastewater treatment plants or water monitoring.

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

12. June 2025

Removal of microplastics, PVA and PFAS from wastewater

Wastewater treatment plants are significant sources of microplastics and pollutants such as PFAS/PVA. Together with Van Remmen UV Technology we are developing innovative solutions for the future of clean water in the EU project UPSTREAM. Find out more in our blog.
6. June 2025

OPEN HOUSE 2025 – Introduction of exhibitors

The next OPEN HOUSE 2025 is just around the corner, taking place on 26 and 27 June 2025 at the EW Landau wastewater treatment plant. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to view and experience Wasser 3.0’s fields of activity on site, also through live demonstrations. It will also be the official Open Day event for the Horizon Europe projects REMEDIES and UPSTREAM, where partners will highlight their solutions for sustainable water systems in a real-world setting.