The University of the South Pacific has produced the first baseline evidence that microplastic particles are present in Fiji’s drinking water systems, a study released to coincide with World Water Day on March 22, 2026. The research — led by Associate Professor David Rohindra — found microplastics across tap, groundwater, rainwater and bottled water samples, prompting calls for routine monitoring and early interventions to protect public health.
The study recorded microplastic concentrations in tap water ranging from 0.10 to 2.90 particles per litre. Some bottled water samples contained as many as 2.20 particles per litre, while rainwater samples showed the lowest levels of contamination. Researchers emphasised that measured concentrations remain below recognised critical pollution thresholds, but said the results represent a timely opportunity for action to prevent escalation as urbanisation and waste management pressures grow.
“Our findings show that people of Fiji are ingesting microplastics through drinking water, and this highlights the need for enhanced monitoring, treatment and public awareness to safeguard both people and ecosystems,” Associate Professor Rohindra said, stressing the study should be seen as “a window for action” rather than a cause for panic. The research provides the first locally generated baseline against which future trends and the effectiveness of mitigation measures can be judged.
Beyond the environmental and technical findings, the study highlights social consequences in Pacific communities. Rohindra and colleagues point to the disproportionate burden placed on women and girls, who often shoulder responsibility for securing, treating and managing household water supplies. The researchers argue that improving water quality and reducing contamination could therefore have direct benefits for gender equality by easing these care and resource-management responsibilities.
The University of the South Pacific is urging microplastics be included in routine water-quality monitoring and for stronger collaboration between governments, utilities and communities. The call comes as Fiji is already investing in water infrastructure and resource assessments — including trunk-main upgrades in the Nadi–Lautoka corridor and an airborne groundwater survey on Vanua Levu — underlining that ensuring safe supply must now consider contaminants beyond microbial and chemical indicators.
Alongside recommending expanded testing, the USP research team is exploring low-cost remediation options. One promising avenue under development is a hydrogel derived from waste crab shells that could capture and remove microplastic particles from water. The technology is at the research stage and would be aimed at providing affordable treatment for smaller-scale or household-level applications in the Pacific context.
Researchers said the study adds to growing global concern about the presence of microplastics in drinking water and the gaps in understanding their long-term health effects. USP is calling for further research on exposure and impacts, and for policymakers to factor microplastic monitoring into national water-safety frameworks so Fiji can track trends and respond before contamination reaches more serious levels.
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