Last updated: March 2026

If you live in Winston-Salem, NC, your tap water contains 27 detected contaminants — many of which exceed health guidelines set by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). While your water may be "legal," legal doesn't mean safe.

Every time you shower, your skin and hair absorb these chemicals through steam and direct contact. Here's exactly what's in your water and what you can do about it.

What's in Winston-Salem's Water? 27 Contaminants Detected

According to EWG's Tap Water Database, water systems serving Winston-Salem, NC have detected 27 contaminants across 1 water system. Of these, 10 exceed EWG health guidelines — the science-based limits that actually protect your health.

Contaminants Exceeding Health Guidelines

Important: The EPA's legal limits (MCLs) are often decades old and don't reflect current science. EWG's health guidelines are based on the latest peer-reviewed research on cancer risk, reproductive harm, and developmental effects.

How Winston-Salem's Water Affects Your Skin and Hair

You might think your tap water is only a concern when you drink it. But your skin is your largest organ, and studies show you absorb more chlorine through a 10-minute shower than drinking 8 glasses of the same water.

Here's what Winston-Salem, NC water contaminants do to your body:

• Dry, itchy skin: Chlorine and chloramine strip your skin's natural oils, causing dryness, irritation, and eczema flare-ups
• Hair damage: Hard water minerals coat hair strands, making them brittle, dull, and prone to breakage and thinning
• Acne and breakouts: Chemical residues clog pores and disrupt your skin barrier, triggering inflammatory acne
• Color-treated hair fading: Chlorine is a bleaching agent — it strips hair color faster than anything else

Cancer-Linked Contaminants in Winston-Salem Water

10 contaminants detected in Winston-Salem, NC water are linked to increased cancer risk:

• Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) — cancer
• Haloacetic acids (HAA5) — cancer
• Trichloroacetic acid — cancer
• Bromodichloromethane — cancer
• Chloroform — cancer
• Dichloroacetic acid — cancer

While these levels may be within legal limits, the EWG notes that legal doesn't equal safe. Many of these legal limits haven't been updated in 20+ years.

Where Do These Contaminants Come From?

The contaminants in Winston-Salem's water come from multiple sources:

Your local water utility treats the water to meet federal standards, but treatment itself creates byproducts (like trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids) that carry their own health risks.

How to Protect Yourself: Filter Your Shower Water

The most effective way to reduce your exposure to Winston-Salem's water contaminants during showers is a high-quality shower filter. A carbon-based shower filter can remove or reduce 21 of the 27 contaminants detected in your area.

The Afina Filtered Showerhead ($99) uses a multi-stage filtration system including KDF-55 and activated carbon to remove:

• Up to 99% of chlorine
• Heavy metals (lead, mercury, nickel)
• Sediment and rust particles
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Chloramine and trihalomethanes

If you already have a shower head you love, the Afina Shower Filter ($47) installs between your pipe and existing shower head in under 5 minutes — no tools needed.

Winston-Salem vs National Average

How does Winston-Salem, NC water compare to the rest of the country?

• Total contaminants detected: 27 (national average: ~25-30)
• Contaminants above EWG guidelines: 10
• Number of water systems: 1

Winston-Salem's water quality is roughly in line with the national average — which, unfortunately, still means daily exposure to chemicals that exceed science-based health guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions About Winston-Salem Water Quality

Is Winston-Salem tap water safe to shower in?

Winston-Salem's water meets federal legal standards, but 10 contaminants exceed EWG's science-based health guidelines. A shower filter adds an extra layer of protection for your skin and hair.

What contaminants are in Winston-Salem's water?

27 contaminants have been detected in Winston-Salem, NC water systems, including Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Haloacetic acids (HAA5), and more.

Does a shower filter help with hard water in Winston-Salem?

Yes. The Afina Filtered Showerhead reduces hard water minerals, chlorine, and heavy metals that cause dry skin, brittle hair, and mineral buildup.

How often should I replace my shower filter in Winston-Salem?

With Winston-Salem's water quality, we recommend replacing the filter cartridge every 3-4 months (or every 10,000 gallons) for optimal performance.

Can Winston-Salem's water cause hair loss?

Hard water and chlorine don't directly cause hair loss, but they damage the hair shaft, leading to breakage and thinning that looks like hair loss. Read more about filtered showerheads and hair loss.

Where does Winston-Salem get its water?

Winston-Salem's water comes from 1 water system that source water from a combination of surface water and groundwater. The specific contaminant profile depends on local geology, agriculture, and industrial activity.

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