Study Finds Plastic Pipes May Foster Microbial Growth and Antibiotic Resistance in Drinking Water

A study published in Environmental Science and Technology has found that plastic drinking water pipes leach up to 13 chemical additives, including bisphenols and organophosphates, which can alter water chemistry and stimulate microbial growth by as much as 20 times. These leached chemicals were also shown to enhance pathogen virulence and promote antibiotic-resistant genes in microbes.

Researchers warned that the findings challenge conventional water safety frameworks, which typically assess chemical and microbial risks separately. The study calls for an integrated risk assessment that accounts for how these hazards interact.

With one-third of existing U.S. water pipes now plastic and over half of future replacements planned to use plastic, experts say current regulations may underestimate the potential health risks. The results highlight an urgent need to re-evaluate water safety standards as plastic infrastructure continues to expand globally.

03-11-2025