Is Denver, Colorado Shower Water Safe? What's In Your Water (2026)
Khat Cruz
Is Denver, Colorado Shower Water Safe?
Population: 713,252 · Water Source: South Platte River, Blue River, Williams Fork Reservoir
Understanding what's in your shower water is crucial for your health and well-being, especially in Denver, Colorado. While Denver Water provides high-quality drinking water, showering can expose you to contaminants differently, impacting skin, hair, and respiratory health. Knowing these details empowers you to make informed decisions about your daily routine.
💧 Where Does Denver's Water Come From?
Primary Source: South Platte River, Blue River, Williams Fork Reservoir
Denver's water primarily originates from pristine mountain snowmelt in the South Platte River, Blue River, and Williams Fork Reservoir basins. This raw water undergoes a multi-stage treatment process at Denver Water's facilities, including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection, to meet stringent drinking water standards before distribution.
Treatment: Ozonation, Filtration, Chloramination (for residual disinfection)
🔬 What's In Denver's Shower Water?
Here are the key contaminants detected in Denver's water supply based on real testing data from the EWG Tap Water Database:
| Contaminant | Level Found | EPA Limit | EWG Guideline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 4.75 ppb | 10.0 ppb | 0.0040 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (1188x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) | 26.79 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (446x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 25.70 ppb | 60.0 ppb | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (257x above) |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 35.27 ppb | 80.0 ppb | 0.150 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (235x above) |
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) | 0.0000 ppt | 1e-05 ppt | 0.0000 ppt | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (186x above) |
| Bromodichloromethane | 9.51 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (159x above) |
| Dibromoacetic acid | 4.07 ppb | No federal limit | 0.030 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (136x above) |
| Trichloroacetic acid | 12.40 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (124x above) |
| Dibromochloromethane | 10.53 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (105x above) |
| Dichloroacetic acid | 10.10 ppb | No federal limit | 0.200 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (51x 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: 0.246 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 (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: 22.55 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: 17.15 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: 28.86 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.
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.
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: 6.38 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.
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: 0.864 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.
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: 7.29 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.
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: 3.20 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.
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: 8.32 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.
🧴 How Denver'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 Denver's water quality may be affecting you:
🧖 Skin Effects
- Dryness and irritation, especially for sensitive skin
- Exacerbation of eczema and other skin conditions
- Soap scum residue leading to dull skin
- Premature aging due to chemical exposure
💇 Hair Effects
- Dullness, frizz, and lack of shine
- Increased breakage and split ends
- Faster fading of color-treated hair
- Product buildup and difficulty lathering
🫁 Respiratory Effects
- Irritation of nasal passages and lungs from chloramine vapors
- Potential trigger for asthma and allergy symptoms
- Discomfort from inhaling disinfection byproducts (DBPs)
- Dryness of the respiratory tract
✅ What You Can Do About It
Test Your Shower Water
A home water test kit can provide specific data on contaminants in your shower water, giving you a clearer picture of what you're being exposed to.
Install a High-Quality Shower Filter
A good shower filter can significantly reduce levels of chlorine, chloramines, heavy metals, and other contaminants, improving water quality for your skin and hair.
Use Moisturizing Skincare Products
Apply a rich moisturizer immediately after showering to lock in hydration and counteract the drying effects of hard water and chlorine.
Limit Shower Time and Temperature
Shorter, cooler showers can reduce exposure to chemicals absorbed through the skin and inhaled in steam, minimizing dryness and irritation.
Consider a Whole-House Water Filter
For comprehensive protection against contaminants throughout your home, a whole-house filtration system treats all water entering your residence, including shower water.
Protect Your Skin & Hair From Denver's Water
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Related Reading
- psoriasis triggered by shower water
- trihalomethanes in treated water
- nitrates in tap water
- shower water quality in Fort Collins, Colorado
- shower water quality in Lakewood, Colorado
Is Denver tap water safe to shower in?
Denver's tap water meets all federal and state drinking water standards, making it generally safe for showering. However, common disinfectants like chloramines and minerals causing hardness can still impact your skin, hair, and respiratory system, especially for sensitive individuals.
Why does my skin feel dry after showering in Denver?
Denver's water contains chloramines, which can strip natural oils from your skin, and is moderately hard due to mineral content. These factors combine to leave skin feeling dry, itchy, and potentially exacerbate conditions like eczema.
Do I need a shower filter in Denver, Colorado?
While not strictly necessary for safety, a shower filter can greatly improve your showering experience. It reduces chlorine, chloramines, and other contaminants that contribute to dry skin, damaged hair, and respiratory irritation from steam inhalation.
How does hard water in Denver affect my hair?
The mineral content in Denver's hard water can leave a residue on your hair, making it feel dull, brittle, and difficult to manage. It can also reduce the effectiveness of shampoos and conditioners, leading to frizz and faster fading of color-treated hair.
What are disinfection byproducts and why are they in my shower water?
Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) like TTHMs and HAA5s form when disinfectants (like chloramines) react with naturally occurring organic matter in the water. They are present in shower water and can be absorbed through the skin and inhaled in steam, with long-term exposure linked to health concerns.
