Is Lincoln, Nebraska Shower Water Safe? What's In Your Water (2026)
Khat Cruz
Last updated: April 2026.
Is Lincoln, Nebraska Shower Water Safe?
Population: 295,222 · Water Source: Groundwater (Platte River Wellfield)
For residents of Lincoln, Nebraska, understanding what's in your shower water is crucial for maintaining your family's health and well-being. While Lincoln's tap water meets federal safety standards for drinking, the unique blend of minerals and disinfectants can have noticeable impacts on your skin, hair, and respiratory system during showering.
💧 Where Does Lincoln's Water Come From?
Primary Source: Groundwater (Platte River Wellfield)
Lincoln's drinking water primarily originates from the Platte River Alluvial Aquifer, drawn from a wellfield near Ashland, Nebraska. This groundwater source is naturally filtered through sand and gravel, then treated at the Lincoln Water System facilities to ensure it meets all regulatory standards before distribution.
Treatment: Chloramination (disinfection), filtration, pH adjustment, fluoridation
🔬 What's In Lincoln's Shower Water?
Here are the key contaminants detected in Lincoln's water supply based on real testing data from the EWG Tap Water Database:
| Contaminant | Level Found | EPA Limit | EWG Guideline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 7.82 ppb | 10.0 ppb | 0.0040 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (1955x above) |
| Uranium | 29.70 pCi/L | 20.0 pCi/L | 0.430 pCi/L | 🚨 ABOVE EPA LIMIT (69x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) | 31.64 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (527x above) |
| Bromochloroacetic acid | 5.46 ppb | No federal limit | 0.020 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (273x above) |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 26.64 ppb | 80.0 ppb | 0.150 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (178x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 17.14 ppb | 60.0 ppb | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (171x above) |
| Bromodichloromethane | 9.36 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (156x above) |
| Dibromoacetic acid | 2.42 ppb | No federal limit | 0.030 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (81x above) |
| Dibromochloromethane | 5.71 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (57x above) |
| Nitrate and nitrite | 7.90 ppm | 10.0 ppm | 0.140 ppm | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (56x 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: 3.54 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.
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: 12.64 pCi/L. National average: 1.03 pCi/L.
Shower Impact: Radioactive contaminants can become aerosolized in shower steam and inhaled, adding to overall exposure.
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: 31.31 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.
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: 4.36 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: 26.85 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: 16.16 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: 7.77 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: 1.95 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: 4.62 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.
Nitrate and nitrite
The health guideline of 0.14 ppm for nitrate and nitrite was defined by based on the equivalent health guideline for nitrate, as defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG. . This health guideline protects against one-in-one-million annual cancer risk level.
Comparison: State average: 1.99 ppm. National average: 0.780 ppm.
Shower Impact: While primarily a drinking water concern, nitrates can contribute to skin irritation during extended shower exposure.
🧴 How Lincoln'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 Lincoln's water quality may be affecting you:
🧖 Skin Effects
- Dryness and flakiness due to hard water minerals and chloramines
- Increased risk of eczema flare-ups and general irritation
- Soap scum residue leading to clogged pores and dull skin
- Potential for accelerated skin aging from chemical exposure
💇 Hair Effects
- Dry, brittle, and damaged hair strands
- Dullness and lack of shine from mineral and chemical buildup
- Fading of hair color and chemical treatments
- Scalp irritation and reduced lathering of shampoos
🫁 Respiratory Effects
- Irritation of nasal passages and throat from chloramine and TTHM vapors
- Exacerbation of asthma or allergy symptoms in sensitive individuals
- Potential for long-term respiratory issues from chronic inhalation of disinfection byproducts
✅ What You Can Do About It
Test Your Home's Water
A comprehensive home water test can identify specific contaminant levels in your shower water, giving you precise data to address your concerns.
Install a Quality Shower Filter
Shower filters are effective at reducing chloramines, disinfection byproducts, and some heavy metals, significantly improving water quality for skin and hair.
Limit Shower Time and Temperature
Shorter, cooler showers reduce your exposure to vaporized chemicals and minimize the drying effects of hot water on skin and hair.
Moisturize Immediately After Showering
Applying a rich moisturizer to damp skin helps lock in hydration and creates a protective barrier against environmental stressors.
Use pH-Balanced and Sulfate-Free Products
Gentle shampoos and soaps can counteract the drying effects of hard water and chloramines, preserving your skin's natural barrier and hair's health.
Protect Your Skin & Hair From Lincoln's Water
The easiest way to remove chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants from your shower water.
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Related Reading
Is Lincoln tap water safe to shower in?
While Lincoln's tap water meets all EPA drinking water standards, concerns exist for showering due to contaminants like chloramines, hard minerals, and disinfection byproducts. These can affect sensitive skin, hair health, and respiratory comfort, even at legally safe levels.
How does Lincoln's hard water affect my skin and hair?
Lincoln's very hard water contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium, which prevent soap from lathering effectively and leave a residue. This can lead to dry, itchy skin, exacerbate eczema, and make hair feel dull, brittle, and difficult to manage.
What are chloramines and why are they in my shower water?
Chloramines are disinfectants used by Lincoln Water System to kill harmful bacteria and viruses, ensuring the water is safe to drink. While effective, they can evaporate in hot showers, causing skin and eye irritation, respiratory discomfort, and a chemical smell.
Can a shower filter really make a difference for eczema sufferers?
Yes, a quality shower filter can significantly benefit eczema sufferers by reducing irritants like chloramines and heavy metals that can strip natural skin oils and trigger flare-ups. By softening the water and removing these chemicals, filters help maintain the skin's barrier and reduce dryness.
Are there specific times I should be more concerned about water quality?
Water quality can fluctuate, but generally, hot showers concentrate volatile chemicals more. Additionally, if you notice changes in water odor, taste, or appearance, or if there are reports of main breaks or treatment changes, it's wise to be more vigilant.
