Is Montgomery, Alabama Shower Water Safe? What's In Your Water (2026)
Khat Cruz
Last updated: April 2026.
Is Montgomery, Alabama Shower Water Safe?
Population: 197,899 · Water Source: Tallapoosa River (Lake Martin)
For residents of Montgomery, Alabama, understanding what's in your shower water is crucial for protecting your health and well-being. While Montgomery's tap water meets federal drinking standards, contaminants present can still impact your skin, hair, and respiratory health, making it important to be informed.
💧 Where Does Montgomery's Water Come From?
Primary Source: Tallapoosa River (Lake Martin)
Montgomery's primary water source is the Tallapoosa River, specifically drawn from Lake Martin, a large reservoir known for its recreational use. The Montgomery Water Works and Sanitary Sewer Board treats this surface water through conventional filtration and disinfection processes to ensure it meets safety standards before distribution.
Treatment: Chloramination
🔬 What's In Montgomery's Shower Water?
Here are the key contaminants detected in Montgomery'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) | 27.04 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (451x above) |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 45.67 ppb | 80.0 ppb | 0.150 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (304x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 23.05 ppb | 60.0 ppb | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (231x above) |
| Arsenic | 0.400 ppb | 10.0 ppb | 0.0040 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (100x above) |
| Dibromochloromethane | 2.77 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (28x above) |
| Radium, combined (-226 and -228) | 0.914 pCi/L | 5.0 pCi/L | 0.050 pCi/L | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (18x above) |
| Bromodichloromethane | 0.950 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (16x above) |
| Chlorite | 633.7 ppb | 1000.0 ppb | 50.00 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (13x above) |
| Bromoform | 4.96 ppb | No federal limit | 0.500 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (10x above) |
| Chloroform | 1.27 ppb | No federal limit | 0.400 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (3x 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: 24.87 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.
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: 25.08 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: 17.37 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.
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: 0.029 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.
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: 0.448 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.
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: 0.465 pCi/L. National average: 0.332 pCi/L.
Shower Impact: Radioactive contaminants can become aerosolized in shower steam and inhaled, adding to overall exposure.
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: 1.68 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.
Chlorite
The health guideline of 50 ppb for chlorite 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 change in blood chemistry.
Comparison: State average: 500.8 ppb. National average: 202.6 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.
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: 0.113 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.
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: 5.85 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 Montgomery'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 Montgomery's water quality may be affecting you:
🧖 Skin Effects
- Dry, itchy skin due to chlorine and hard water residue.
- Exacerbation of eczema and other skin sensitivities.
- Premature skin aging from oxidative stress caused by chlorine.
- Soap scum and mineral buildup leaving skin feeling unclean.
💇 Hair Effects
- Dry, brittle hair and increased breakage from chloramine exposure.
- Dullness and lack of shine due to mineral deposits from hard water.
- Faster fading of colored hair and difficulty lathering shampoo.
- Residue buildup making hair feel heavy and greasy even after washing.
🫁 Respiratory Effects
- Irritation of nasal passages and throat from inhaled chloramine and disinfection byproducts.
- Potential exacerbation of asthma and allergies due to chemical vapors in steam.
- Dryness of mucous membranes from prolonged exposure to chemical-laden steam.
✅ What You Can Do About It
Test Your Home's Water
A home water test can identify specific contaminants and their levels in your tap water, giving you a clear picture of what you're showering in.
Install a Quality Shower Filter
Shower filters are effective at reducing chlorine, chloramine, heavy metals, and some disinfection byproducts, improving skin and hair health.
Limit Shower Duration and Temperature
Shorter, cooler showers can reduce exposure to volatile contaminants in steam and minimize the drying effects on skin and hair.
Moisturize Immediately After Showering
Applying a moisturizer to damp skin helps lock in hydration and creates a barrier against environmental irritants, counteracting drying effects.
Regularly Clean Your Showerhead
Cleaning prevents the buildup of minerals and bacteria, which can affect water flow and potentially harbor undesirable microorganisms.
Protect Your Skin & Hair From Montgomery'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
- trihalomethanes in treated water
- nitrates in tap water
- shower water quality in Mobile, Alabama
Is Montgomery tap water safe to shower in?
While Montgomery's tap water meets federal safety standards for drinking, contaminants like chloramine and disinfection byproducts can still impact your skin, hair, and respiratory health during showering. Many residents find that addressing these specific concerns improves their overall well-being.
What causes dry skin and hair after showering in Montgomery?
The primary culprits are residual chloramine, which strips natural oils, and the moderate hardness of Montgomery's water, which leaves mineral deposits. These factors prevent proper rinsing, leading to dryness, irritation, and dullness over time.
Does boiling Montgomery water make it safer for showering?
No, boiling water is not practical or effective for improving shower water safety. While it kills bacteria, boiling can actually concentrate some chemical contaminants and increase the release of volatile compounds like chloramine and disinfection byproducts into the steam, potentially making inhalation worse.
How often should I replace my shower filter in Montgomery?
Most shower filters are designed to be replaced every 2-3 months or after a certain gallon capacity, typically 10,000-12,000 gallons. However, this can vary based on water usage and the specific contaminants present in Montgomery's water, so always follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
Is hard water a significant problem in Montgomery, AL?
Montgomery's water is generally considered moderately hard. While not a health risk, this level of hardness can contribute to issues like dry skin and hair, soap scum buildup, and reduced efficiency of soaps and detergents, which are common pain points for residents.
