Is Buffalo, New York Shower Water Safe? What's In Your Water (2026)
Khat Cruz
Is Buffalo, New York Shower Water Safe?
Population: 276,807 · Water Source: Lake Erie, Niagara River
For Buffalo residents, understanding the quality of your shower water is crucial for well-being. While the city's tap water meets federal standards for drinking, contaminants present can still impact your skin, hair, and respiratory health, making it important to know what's in your daily shower.
💧 Where Does Buffalo's Water Come From?
Primary Source: Lake Erie, Niagara River
Buffalo's water supply primarily originates from Lake Erie and the Niagara River, a vast and dynamic freshwater system. The Buffalo Water Board draws water from an intake crib in Lake Erie, which then undergoes a multi-stage treatment process to ensure safety and potability before distribution to homes and businesses.
Treatment: Coagulation, Flocculation, Sedimentation, Filtration, Chlorination (disinfection), Fluoridation
🔬 What's In Buffalo's Shower Water?
Here are the key contaminants detected in Buffalo's water supply based on real testing data from the EWG Tap Water Database:
| Contaminant | Level Found | EPA Limit | EWG Guideline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) | 0.0000 ppt | 1e-05 ppt | 0.0000 ppt | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (400x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) | 22.35 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (372x above) |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 38.88 ppb | 80.0 ppb | 0.150 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (259x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 18.33 ppb | 60.0 ppb | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (183x above) |
| Bromodichloromethane | 10.71 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (178x above) |
| Trichloroacetic acid | 8.32 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (83x above) |
| Arsenic | 0.267 ppb | 10.0 ppb | 0.0040 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (67x above) |
| Chloroform | 24.15 ppb | No federal limit | 0.400 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (60x above) |
| Dichloroacetic acid | 9.16 ppb | No federal limit | 0.200 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (46x above) |
| Dibromochloromethane | 3.71 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (37x above) |
Contaminant Details
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)
The health guideline of 0.001 ppt for perfluorohexane sulfonate was defined by EWG based on studies by Phillipe Grandjean of Harvard University and many other independent researchers who found reduced effectiveness of vaccines and adverse impacts on mammary gland development from exposure to PFOA and PFOS, the two PFAS most widely detected in drinking water. This health guideline harm to the developing immune system.
Comparison: State average: 0.0000 ppt. National average: 0.0000 ppt.
Shower Impact: Contaminants in shower water can be absorbed through the skin and inhaled as steam, increasing your daily exposure beyond what you get from drinking water alone.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)
The health guideline of 0.06 ppb for haloacetic acids (HAA9) was defined by EWG . This health guideline protects against cancer.
Comparison: State average: 36.36 ppb. National average: 23.70 ppb.
Shower Impact: These disinfection byproducts become airborne in hot shower steam. You can inhale and absorb them through your skin, potentially increasing your exposure beyond just drinking water.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
The health guideline of 0.15 ppb for trihalomethanes was defined by in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-one-million lifetime cancer risk level. as a draft public health goal, the level of drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.
Comparison: State average: 34.01 ppb. National average: 29.06 ppb.
Shower Impact: These disinfection byproducts become airborne in hot shower steam. You can inhale and absorb them through your skin, potentially increasing your exposure beyond just drinking water.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
The health guideline of 0.1 ppb for haloacetic acids (HAA5) was defined by as . This health guideline protects against cancer.
Comparison: State average: 26.47 ppb. National average: 19.82 ppb.
Shower Impact: These disinfection byproducts become airborne in hot shower steam. You can inhale and absorb them through your skin, potentially increasing your exposure beyond just drinking water.
Bromodichloromethane
The health guideline of 0.06 ppb for bromodichloromethane was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Comparison: State average: 5.47 ppb. National average: 5.89 ppb.
Shower Impact: These disinfection byproducts become airborne in hot shower steam. You can inhale and absorb them through your skin, potentially increasing your exposure beyond just drinking water.
Trichloroacetic acid
The health guideline of 0.1 ppb for trichloroacetic acid was defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Comparison: State average: 16.86 ppb. National average: 6.57 ppb.
Shower Impact: These disinfection byproducts become airborne in hot shower steam. You can inhale and absorb them through your skin, potentially increasing your exposure beyond just drinking water.
Arsenic
The health guideline of 0.004 ppb for arsenic was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.
Comparison: State average: 0.085 ppb. National average: 0.624 ppb.
Shower Impact: Arsenic in shower water can be absorbed through the skin. Long hot showers increase exposure time and absorption.
Chloroform
The health guideline of 0.4 ppb for chloroform was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Comparison: State average: 28.74 ppb. National average: 16.20 ppb.
Shower Impact: These disinfection byproducts become airborne in hot shower steam. You can inhale and absorb them through your skin, potentially increasing your exposure beyond just drinking water.
Dichloroacetic acid
The health guideline of 0.2 ppb for dichloroacetic acid was defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Comparison: State average: 10.99 ppb. National average: 8.00 ppb.
Shower Impact: These disinfection byproducts become airborne in hot shower steam. You can inhale and absorb them through your skin, potentially increasing your exposure beyond just drinking water.
Dibromochloromethane
The health guideline of 0.1 ppb for dibromochloromethane was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Comparison: State average: 1.35 ppb. National average: 3.55 ppb.
Shower Impact: These disinfection byproducts become airborne in hot shower steam. You can inhale and absorb them through your skin, potentially increasing your exposure beyond just drinking water.
🧴 How Buffalo's Water Affects Your Skin, Hair & Health
When you shower, contaminants in the water don't just wash off — they're absorbed through your skin and inhaled as steam. Here's how Buffalo's water quality may be affecting you:
🧖 Skin Effects
- Dry, itchy skin due to chlorine and hard water minerals
- Exacerbation of eczema and other sensitive skin conditions
- Irritation and redness from chemical exposure
- Soap scum residue leaving a film on skin
💇 Hair Effects
- Dull, brittle, and frizzy hair from mineral buildup
- Color fading in treated hair due to chlorine
- Scalp dryness and irritation
- Reduced lathering of shampoos, requiring more product
🫁 Respiratory Effects
- Inhalation of chlorine and TTHMs in shower steam
- Potential aggravation of asthma and respiratory sensitivities
- Dryness of nasal passages and throat
- Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that off-gas from hot water
✅ What You Can Do About It
Test Your Home's Water
A home water test kit can provide specific data on contaminants present in your tap water, giving you a personalized understanding of your water quality.
Install a Shower Filter
A quality shower filter can significantly reduce chlorine, chloramines, and other common contaminants, improving skin and hair health and reducing inhalation risks.
Limit Shower Time and Temperature
Shorter, cooler showers can reduce exposure to volatile chemicals like chlorine and TTHMs, which are more readily released in hot steam.
Moisturize Immediately After Showering
Applying moisturizer to damp skin helps lock in hydration, counteracting the drying effects of hard water and chlorine.
Clean Shower Heads Regularly
Regular cleaning prevents mineral buildup and bacterial growth in the shower head, which can impact water flow and quality.
Protect Your Skin & Hair From Buffalo's Water
The easiest way to remove chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants from your shower water.
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Related Reading
- why your skin feels dry after showering
- arsenic in drinking water
- hexavalent chromium in water
- shower water quality in Rochester, New York
- shower water quality in Yonkers, New York
Is Buffalo tap water safe to shower in?
While Buffalo's tap water meets federal drinking water standards, it contains chlorine and other contaminants that can affect sensitive individuals. Many residents find that these elements lead to dry skin, damaged hair, and respiratory irritation, especially during prolonged hot showers.
Does Buffalo water cause dry skin and hair damage?
Yes, Buffalo's moderately hard water, combined with chlorine used for disinfection, can strip natural oils from skin and hair. This often results in dryness, itchiness, frizz, and dullness, particularly for those with pre-existing skin conditions like eczema.
What are Trihalomethanes, and are they a concern in Buffalo showers?
Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) are disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter in water. They are a concern because they can be absorbed through the skin and inhaled in shower steam, potentially posing health risks with long-term exposure, even at levels below the EPA limit.
Will a shower filter help with Buffalo's hard water?
Many shower filters are designed to reduce chlorine and other chemicals, which can improve skin and hair. However, not all shower filters effectively remove hardness minerals (calcium and magnesium). For significant hardness reduction, a whole-house water softener is typically required.
Are there any local Buffalo-specific water quality issues I should be aware of for showering?
Beyond general concerns like chlorine and hardness, Buffalo's aging infrastructure means lead can be a localized issue in some homes. Additionally, being a large surface water source, Lake Erie can be susceptible to seasonal changes impacting water quality, though treatment is designed to address these.
