Is Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Shower Water Safe? What's In Your Water (2026)
Khat Cruz
Is Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Shower Water Safe?
Population: 1,550,542 · Water Source: Delaware River, Schuylkill River
Understanding what's in your Philadelphia shower water is crucial for your family's health and well-being. While the Philadelphia Water Department works to deliver safe drinking water, certain contaminants and water characteristics can still impact your skin, hair, and respiratory health when showering in 2026. Knowing these details empowers you to make informed decisions about your daily routine.
💧 Where Does Philadelphia's Water Come From?
Primary Source: Delaware River, Schuylkill River
Philadelphia's water primarily comes from the Delaware River and the Schuylkill River, both surface water sources. These rivers undergo extensive treatment processes at facilities like the Baxter, Queen Lane, and Belmont Water Treatment Plants. The treatment includes coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet federal and state drinking water standards.
Treatment: Chloramination, filtration, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation
🔬 What's In Philadelphia's Shower Water?
Here are the key contaminants detected in Philadelphia's water supply based on real testing data from the EWG Tap Water Database:
| Contaminant | Level Found | EPA Limit | EWG Guideline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) | 0.0000 ppt | 1e-05 ppt | 0.0000 ppt | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (1152x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) | 36.91 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (615x above) |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) | 0.0000 ppt | 4e-06 ppt | 0.0000 ppt | 🚨 ABOVE EPA LIMIT (45x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 34.74 ppb | 60.0 ppb | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (347x above) |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 42.32 ppb | 80.0 ppb | 0.150 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (282x above) |
| Arsenic | 0.866 ppb | 10.0 ppb | 0.0040 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (216x above) |
| Trichloroacetic acid | 19.98 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (200x above) |
| Bromodichloromethane | 10.02 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (167x above) |
| Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) | 0.0000 ppt | 1e-05 ppt | 0.0000 ppt | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (150x above) |
| Chloroform | 29.71 ppb | No federal limit | 0.400 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (74x above) |
Contaminant Details
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.
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: 29.86 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.
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
The health guideline of 0.09 ppt for PFOA was defined by 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 Harm to the immune system; harm to fetal growth and child development; increased cholesterol.
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.
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: 21.93 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: 35.75 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.
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: 0.182 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.
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: 10.70 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.
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: 8.16 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.
Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
The health guideline of 0.006 ppt for perfluorononanoic acid 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 immune system and harm to fetal growth and child development.
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.
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: 24.28 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 Philadelphia'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 Philadelphia's water quality may be affecting you:
🧖 Skin Effects
- Increased dryness and irritation, especially for eczema sufferers, due to chloramine and hard water minerals.
- Exacerbation of existing skin conditions like acne and psoriasis from chemical residues.
- Mineral buildup on the skin, leaving a film that can clog pores and reduce natural hydration.
- Potential for allergic reactions or sensitivities to disinfection byproducts.
💇 Hair Effects
- Dry, brittle, and dull hair texture from chloramine stripping natural oils.
- Color fading or discoloration, particularly for chemically treated or light-colored hair, due to copper and chlorine.
- Increased hair breakage and difficulty lathering shampoos due to hard water minerals.
- Scalp irritation and flakiness from chemical exposure and mineral residue.
🫁 Respiratory Effects
- Inhalation of volatile disinfection byproducts (TTHMs, HAA5) in shower steam, potentially irritating respiratory passages.
- Worsening of asthma or other respiratory sensitivities due to airborne chloramine compounds.
- Dryness and irritation of nasal passages and throat from prolonged exposure to chemical vapors.
- Potential long-term respiratory health risks from chronic inhalation of certain contaminants.
✅ What You Can Do About It
Test Your Water
A professional water test provides a precise understanding of contaminants and hardness levels specific to your home's plumbing, helping you target solutions effectively.
Install a Shower Filter
A quality shower filter can significantly reduce chlorine, chloramine, heavy metals, and sediment, leading to softer skin, healthier hair, and reduced inhalation of harmful vapors.
Limit Shower Time and Temperature
Shorter, cooler showers reduce your exposure to volatile contaminants that vaporize in hot steam, and minimize the drying effects on your skin and hair.
Moisturize Immediately
Applying a high-quality moisturizer to damp skin immediately after showering helps lock in hydration and creates a protective barrier against environmental stressors.
Consider a Whole-House Filter
For comprehensive protection against a wider range of contaminants throughout your entire home, a whole-house filtration system offers the most robust solution.
Protect Your Skin & Hair From Philadelphia's Water
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Related Reading
Is Philadelphia tap water safe to shower in?
While Philadelphia's tap water meets federal drinking water standards, showering can expose you to contaminants differently than drinking. Volatile chemicals like chloramine and disinfection byproducts can vaporize into steam, leading to inhalation and skin absorption concerns that aren't fully addressed by drinking water regulations.
Does Philadelphia have hard water?
Philadelphia typically has moderately hard water, with levels varying slightly depending on the specific treatment plant and river source. This mineral content can contribute to dry skin, dull hair, and soap scum buildup in your shower.
How does chloramine in Philadelphia's water affect my shower?
Chloramine, used for disinfection, can strip natural oils from your skin and hair, leading to dryness, irritation, and exacerbating conditions like eczema. In hot shower steam, it can also release irritating compounds that affect respiratory comfort.
Can a shower filter really help with Philadelphia's water?
Yes, a good quality shower filter can make a noticeable difference. It can reduce chloramine, chlorine, heavy metals, and sediment, improving the feel of your skin and hair, and reducing your exposure to harmful volatile chemicals in shower steam.
Are there specific concerns for children or those with eczema in Philadelphia?
Children and individuals with sensitive skin or eczema are particularly vulnerable to the drying and irritating effects of chloramine and hard water. Reducing exposure to these elements through filtration and proper skincare can significantly alleviate symptoms.
