Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for detecting and removing microplastics from wastewater effluent. Both, automatic/remote and manual monitoring and sampling components are included to detect the presence of microplastics. The automatic monitoring and sampling component includes a TSS sensor and associated apparatus calibrated to account for non-plastic solids present in the wastewater and, thereby, more accurately determine the presence of microplastics. Efficient separation and removal of microplastics from wastewater effluent is performed by a specialized capture net apparatus having multiple sized mesh components and optional diffuser devices which perform size exclusion filtration of microplastics from the water.