Is Concord, California Shower Water Safe? What's In Your Water (2026)
Khat Cruz
Is Concord, California Shower Water Safe?
Population: 130,280 · Water Source: Contra Costa Water District (Los Vaqueros Reservoir & Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta)
For the 130,280 residents of Concord, California, understanding what's in your shower water is crucial for maintaining your family's health and well-being. While Concord's tap water meets regulatory standards for drinking, contaminants present can still impact your skin, hair, and respiratory health during showering. Discover what's flowing through your pipes and how to protect yourself in 2026.
💧 Where Does Concord's Water Come From?
Primary Source: Contra Costa Water District (Los Vaqueros Reservoir & Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta)
Concord's water primarily comes from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, which is then stored in and delivered through the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) system, including the Los Vaqueros Reservoir. This surface water source undergoes extensive treatment at CCWD's state-of-the-art facilities before distribution. The Delta source can be susceptible to agricultural runoff and natural organic matter.
Treatment: Coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and chloramination for disinfection.
🔬 What's In Concord's Shower Water?
Here are the key contaminants detected in Concord's water supply based on real testing data from the EWG Tap Water Database:
| Contaminant | Level Found | EPA Limit | EWG Guideline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 2.40 ppb | 10.0 ppb | 0.0040 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (600x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 36.20 ppb | 60.0 ppb | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (362x above) |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 53.93 ppb | 80.0 ppb | 0.150 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (360x above) |
| Bromodichloromethane | 13.80 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (230x above) |
| Dibromochloromethane | 20.03 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (200x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) | 11.93 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (199x above) |
| Bromochloroacetic acid | 2.69 ppb | No federal limit | 0.020 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (134x above) |
| Dibromoacetic acid | 3.43 ppb | No federal limit | 0.030 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (114x above) |
| Chromium (hexavalent) | 1.13 ppb | No federal limit | 0.020 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (56x above) |
| Bromoform | 13.70 ppb | No federal limit | 0.500 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (27x above) |
Contaminant Details
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: 0.899 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.
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: 35.45 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: 27.09 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: 5.64 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.
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: 6.38 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.
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: 15.50 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.
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: 2.49 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.
Dibromoacetic acid
The health guideline of 0.03 ppb for dibromoacetic acid was defined by as . This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to fetal growth and development.
Comparison: State average: 1.94 ppb. National average: 1.13 ppb.
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.
Chromium (hexavalent)
The health guideline of 0.02 ppb for chromium (hexavalent) 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: 0.812 ppb. National average: 0.440 ppb.
Shower Impact: Hexavalent chromium can be absorbed through the skin during bathing, adding to overall exposure beyond drinking water.
Bromoform
The health guideline of 0.5 ppb for bromoform 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: 3.85 ppb. National average: 1.44 ppb.
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.
🧴 How Concord'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 Concord's water quality may be affecting you:
🧖 Skin Effects
- Increased dryness and irritation, especially for sensitive skin and eczema sufferers.
- Exacerbation of skin conditions due to chlorine/chloramine exposure.
- Soap scum residue leading to dull, itchy skin and clogged pores.
- Potential for chemical absorption through the skin.
💇 Hair Effects
- Dry, brittle, and damaged hair strands from harsh disinfectants and hard water minerals.
- Fading of hair color and chemical treatments.
- Dullness and lack of luster due to mineral buildup.
- Scalp irritation and flakiness.
🫁 Respiratory Effects
- Inhalation of chloramine and TTHMs vaporized in hot shower steam, potentially irritating airways.
- Exacerbation of asthma and other respiratory sensitivities.
- Chlorine-like odor causing discomfort and potential for short-term irritation.
✅ What You Can Do About It
Test Your Water
A professional home water test can provide precise data on what contaminants are present in your specific tap water, helping you make informed decisions.
Install a Quality Shower Filter
A good shower filter can significantly reduce chlorine, chloramine, heavy metals, and other contaminants, improving skin and hair health.
Limit Shower Time and Temperature
Shorter, cooler showers reduce exposure to volatile contaminants like TTHMs and minimize the drying effects of hot water on skin and hair.
Moisturize Immediately After Showering
Applying a rich moisturizer within minutes of getting out of the shower helps lock in hydration and combat dryness caused by water exposure.
Use pH-Balanced Skincare & Hair Products
Products formulated to a healthy skin and hair pH can help counteract the drying and damaging effects of hard or chemically treated water.
Protect Your Skin & Hair From Concord's Water
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Related Reading
- psoriasis triggered by shower water
- trihalomethanes in treated water
- hexavalent chromium in water
- shower water quality in Anaheim, California
- shower water quality in Bakersfield, California
Is Concord tap water safe to shower in?
While Concord's tap water meets all federal and state drinking water standards, showering introduces unique exposure routes like skin absorption and steam inhalation. Contaminants like chloramines and disinfection byproducts can still cause skin dryness, hair damage, and respiratory irritation, especially for sensitive individuals.
Why does my shower water in Concord smell like chlorine?
The chlorine-like smell comes from chloramines, which the Contra Costa Water District uses to disinfect the water and maintain a residual disinfectant in the distribution system. While effective for killing bacteria, chloramines can volatilize in hot shower water, creating a noticeable odor and potential for inhalation.
How does hard water in Concord affect my skin and hair?
Concord's water can be moderately hard due to dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals react with soap to form a film that can leave skin feeling dry, itchy, and irritated, and cause hair to become dull, brittle, and difficult to lather, leading to buildup.
Do shower filters really work for Concord's water?
Yes, a high-quality shower filter can be very effective at reducing common contaminants found in Concord's water, particularly chloramines, chlorine, and some heavy metals. This can lead to noticeable improvements in skin hydration, hair softness, and a reduction in chemical odors.
Are there specific concerns for people with eczema in Concord?
For eczema sufferers, the presence of chloramines and hard water minerals in Concord's shower water can be particularly irritating. These can strip natural oils from the skin, exacerbate dryness, and trigger flare-ups, making a shower filter and diligent moisturizing especially beneficial.
