Is Garland, Texas Shower Water Safe? What's In Your Water (2026)
Khat Cruz
Last updated: April 2026.
Is Garland, Texas Shower Water Safe?
Population: 244,323 · Water Source: North Texas Municipal Water District (Lake Lavon)
Understanding what's in your shower water is crucial for your health and well-being, especially for residents of Garland, Texas. While the city's tap water meets federal standards for drinking, contaminants present in shower water can still impact your skin, hair, and respiratory health. Don't let unseen elements undermine your daily routine.
💧 Where Does Garland's Water Come From?
Primary Source: North Texas Municipal Water District (Lake Lavon)
Garland receives its drinking water primarily from the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD), which draws water from several surface water sources, with Lake Lavon being a significant contributor. This water undergoes a rigorous treatment process designed to meet all state and federal drinking water standards before it reaches your home.
Treatment: Ozonation, biofiltration, and chloramination for disinfection
🔬 What's In Garland's Shower Water?
Here are the key contaminants detected in Garland'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) | 44.13 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (735x above) |
| Bromochloroacetic acid | 8.04 ppb | No federal limit | 0.020 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (402x above) |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 36.48 ppb | 80.0 ppb | 0.150 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (243x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 22.22 ppb | 60.0 ppb | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (222x above) |
| Bromodichloromethane | 12.95 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (216x above) |
| Dibromoacetic acid | 4.45 ppb | No federal limit | 0.030 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (148x above) |
| Dibromochloromethane | 9.48 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (95x above) |
| Dichloroacetic acid | 11.69 ppb | No federal limit | 0.200 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (58x above) |
| Trichloroacetic acid | 3.26 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (33x above) |
| Chloroform | 11.80 ppb | No federal limit | 0.400 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (30x 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: 23.90 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: 3.82 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.
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: 25.58 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: 12.54 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: 6.50 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: 2.64 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.
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: 5.95 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: 6.77 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.
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: 2.14 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.
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: 7.52 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.
🧴 How Garland'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 Garland's water quality may be affecting you:
🧖 Skin Effects
- Increased dryness and irritation, especially for eczema sufferers, due to chloramine and hard water minerals.
- Accelerated aging and dullness from chemical exposure.
- Exacerbation of existing skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
- Potential allergic reactions to disinfection byproducts.
💇 Hair Effects
- Dry, brittle, and damaged hair due to chloramine stripping natural oils.
- Fading of hair color and chemical treatments.
- Mineral buildup from hard water, leading to dullness and limpness.
- Scalp irritation and flakiness.
🫁 Respiratory Effects
- Irritation of nasal passages and lungs from inhaled chloramine and disinfection byproducts.
- Exacerbation of asthma or other respiratory sensitivities.
- Coughing or shortness of breath for sensitive individuals.
- General discomfort from strong chemical odors.
✅ What You Can Do About It
Test Your Water
A professional water test can identify specific contaminants and their levels in your home's water, providing personalized insights beyond general city reports.
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.
Shorten Shower Times and Improve Ventilation
Reducing exposure time and ensuring good ventilation minimizes the inhalation of volatile chemicals like TTHMs and chloramine in shower steam.
Use Moisturizing Products
Apply lotions and conditioners immediately after showering to lock in moisture and counteract the drying effects of treated water on skin and hair.
Protect Your Skin & Hair From Garland'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
- chromium-6 in tap water
- nitrates in tap water
- shower water quality in San Antonio, Texas
- shower water quality in Amarillo, Texas
Is Garland tap water safe to shower in?
Garland's tap water meets all EPA drinking water standards, meaning it is generally considered safe for showering. However, common disinfectants like chloramine and disinfection byproducts can still cause issues for sensitive individuals or those concerned about long-term exposure, affecting skin, hair, and respiratory health.
Why does my Garland shower water smell like chlorine?
Garland's water is disinfected with chloramine, a stable compound of chlorine and ammonia. This disinfectant can sometimes produce a distinct chemical odor, especially when heated in the shower, indicating its presence in your water.
Does Garland have hard water, and how does it affect showering?
Yes, Garland, like much of North Texas, has moderately hard to hard water due to high mineral content (calcium and magnesium). This can lead to dry skin, dull hair, soap scum buildup, and reduced lathering in the shower, impacting the effectiveness of soaps and shampoos.
How do shower filters help with Garland's water?
Shower filters are designed to reduce specific contaminants like chloramine, chlorine, and some heavy metals before the water reaches your skin and hair. This can alleviate issues like dryness, irritation, and hair damage, making your shower experience more pleasant and healthier.
Are disinfection byproducts in Garland's water a concern for showering?
Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) like TTHMs and HAA5s are formed when disinfectants react with organic matter in the water. These compounds can become volatile in hot shower steam and be inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, raising long-term health concerns for some individuals.
