Is Cheyenne, Wyoming Shower Water Safe? What's In Your Water (2026)
Khat Cruz
Is Cheyenne, Wyoming Shower Water Safe?
Population: 65,132 · Water Source: Granite Reservoir, Crystal Lake, Crow Creek
Cheyenne, Wyoming's water is sourced from pristine mountain reservoirs, yet what flows from your showerhead may contain elements impacting your skin, hair, and overall well-being. Understanding your shower water quality in Cheyenne is crucial for maintaining a healthy home in 2026.
💧 Where Does Cheyenne's Water Come From?
Primary Source: Granite Reservoir, Crystal Lake, Crow Creek
Cheyenne's drinking water primarily originates from the high-altitude Granite Reservoir, Crystal Lake, and Crow Creek. This surface water is transported to the Sherard Water Treatment Plant where it undergoes rigorous processes to ensure safety and quality before distribution to homes and businesses.
Treatment: Coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and chlorine disinfection
🔬 What's In Cheyenne's Shower Water?
Here are the key contaminants detected in Cheyenne's water supply based on real testing data from the EWG Tap Water Database:
| Contaminant | Level Found | EPA Limit | EWG Guideline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) | 27.51 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (459x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 29.67 ppb | 60.0 ppb | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (297x above) |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 37.00 ppb | 80.0 ppb | 0.150 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (247x above) |
| Bromodichloromethane | 8.00 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (133x above) |
| Bromochloroacetic acid | 2.37 ppb | No federal limit | 0.020 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (118x above) |
| Trichloroacetic acid | 11.23 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (112x above) |
| Dichloroacetic acid | 17.27 ppb | No federal limit | 0.200 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (86x above) |
| Chloroform | 27.33 ppb | No federal limit | 0.400 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (68x above) |
| Uranium | 17.09 pCi/L | 20.0 pCi/L | 0.430 pCi/L | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (40x above) |
| Radium, combined (-226 and -228) | 0.900 pCi/L | 5.0 pCi/L | 0.050 pCi/L | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (18x above) |
Contaminant Details
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: 20.31 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.
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: 13.86 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.
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: 20.28 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.
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: 3.99 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.
Bromochloroacetic acid
The health guideline of 0.02 ppb for bromochloroacetic acid was defined by as . This health guideline protects against cancer.
Comparison: State average: 1.57 ppb. National average: 2.80 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: 6.88 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.
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: 6.24 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.
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: 13.97 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.
Uranium
The health guideline of for uranium 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. Three most common uranium isotopes are U-234, U-235 and U-238. All isotopes of uranium are radioactive, and the total radioactivity depends on the ratio of isotopes. This health guideline protects against cancer.
Comparison: State average: 2.66 pCi/L. National average: 1.03 pCi/L.
Shower Impact: Radioactive contaminants can become aerosolized in shower steam and inhaled, adding to overall exposure.
Radium, combined (-226 and -228)
The health guideline of for radium, combined (-226 and -228) was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as . This health guideline protects against cancer.
Comparison: State average: 0.615 pCi/L. National average: 0.332 pCi/L.
Shower Impact: Radioactive contaminants can become aerosolized in shower steam and inhaled, adding to overall exposure.
🧴 How Cheyenne'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 Cheyenne's water quality may be affecting you:
🧖 Skin Effects
- Dry, itchy skin and irritation
- Exacerbation of eczema and other sensitive skin conditions
- Soap scum residue leading to clogged pores
- Premature skin aging due to chemical exposure
💇 Hair Effects
- Dry, brittle, and damaged hair
- Fading of hair color and chemical treatments
- Dullness and lack of shine
- Residue buildup making hair feel heavy or greasy
🫁 Respiratory Effects
- Irritation of nasal passages and throat from chlorine vapor
- Potential exacerbation of asthma and allergies from inhaled chemicals
- Exposure to volatile disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in steam
✅ What You Can Do About It
Test Your Water
A professional water test can provide precise data on what contaminants are present in your specific home's water, empowering you to make informed decisions.
Install a Quality Shower Filter
A good shower filter can significantly reduce chlorine, chloramine, and other contaminants, leading to noticeable improvements in skin and hair health.
Limit Shower Duration and Temperature
Shorter, cooler showers reduce exposure time to hot water, which can increase the volatilization of chemicals and open skin pores for greater absorption.
Moisturize Immediately Post-Shower
Applying a good moisturizer to damp skin helps to lock in hydration and create a barrier against the drying effects of tap water.
Consider a Whole-House Filter
For comprehensive protection against contaminants throughout your entire home, a whole-house filtration system treats all incoming water.
Protect Your Skin & Hair From Cheyenne's Water
The easiest way to remove chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants from your shower water.
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Related Reading
Is Cheyenne tap water safe to shower in?
While Cheyenne's tap water meets EPA drinking standards, showering exposes you to contaminants differently. Inhaling chlorine and disinfection byproducts in steam, and absorbing them through your skin, can lead to concerns for sensitive individuals or those seeking optimal health.
Why does my skin feel dry and itchy after showering in Cheyenne?
Cheyenne's water contains hardness minerals (calcium and magnesium) and chlorine. These can strip natural oils from your skin, leaving it feeling dry, itchy, and potentially exacerbating conditions like eczema.
Does Cheyenne water contain chlorine, and can I smell it?
Yes, Cheyenne uses chlorine for disinfection, and it's common to detect a chlorine smell, especially in a hot shower. This indicates the presence of chlorine, which can irritate skin, hair, and respiratory passages.
Can a shower filter help with hard water in Cheyenne?
Many shower filters are designed to reduce chlorine and some sediment, which can improve skin and hair. However, for significant hard water issues, a dedicated water softener or a shower filter specifically designed to address hardness minerals would be more effective.
How does Cheyenne's water affect my hair?
The hardness minerals and chlorine in Cheyenne's water can strip natural oils from your hair, leading to dryness, frizz, and brittleness. It can also cause dullness and make hair color fade faster.
