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. In an exemplary embodiment, the methods generally include diverting treated wastewater effluent from a wastewater treatment facility's main line into a wastewater sampling mechanism via an intake pipe, and then into a solids monitoring and separation mechanism which includes the specialized capture net apparatus.