Is Bismarck, North Dakota Shower Water Safe? What's In Your Water (2026)
Khat Cruz
Is Bismarck, North Dakota Shower Water Safe?
Population: 74,818 · Water Source: Missouri River
Understanding what's in your shower water is crucial for your health and well-being in Bismarck, North Dakota. While Bismarck's drinking water meets regulatory standards, contaminants like disinfection byproducts and mineral hardness can impact your skin, hair, and respiratory health during showering, making it important to be informed.
💧 Where Does Bismarck's Water Come From?
Primary Source: Missouri River
Bismarck's water supply is sourced from the Missouri River, a major waterway flowing through North Dakota. The city operates a modern water treatment plant that processes this surface water through multiple stages, including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection, to ensure it is safe for consumption and use.
Treatment: Conventional treatment, filtration, and chloramination for disinfection
🔬 What's In Bismarck's Shower Water?
Here are the key contaminants detected in Bismarck'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) | 13.82 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (230x above) |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 34.22 ppb | 80.0 ppb | 0.150 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (228x above) |
| Bromodichloromethane | 10.12 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (169x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 10.13 ppb | 60.0 ppb | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (101x above) |
| Dibromochloromethane | 6.76 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (68x above) |
| Dibromoacetic acid | 1.28 ppb | No federal limit | 0.030 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (43x above) |
| Chloroform | 16.39 ppb | No federal limit | 0.400 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (41x above) |
| Dichloroacetic acid | 6.76 ppb | No federal limit | 0.200 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (34x above) |
| Trichloroacetic acid | 3.13 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (31x above) |
| Chromium (hexavalent) | 0.562 ppb | No federal limit | 0.020 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (28x 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: 17.88 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: 20.44 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.
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: 4.75 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.
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: 10.43 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.
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: 3.28 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.
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: 1.23 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.
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: 10.47 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.
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: 7.00 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: 1.61 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.
Chromium (hexavalent)
The health guideline of 0.02 ppb for chromium (hexavalent) 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: 0.590 ppb. National average: 0.440 ppb.
Shower Impact: Hexavalent chromium can be absorbed through the skin during bathing, adding to overall exposure beyond drinking water.
🧴 How Bismarck'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 Bismarck's water quality may be affecting you:
🧖 Skin Effects
- Dry, itchy, and irritated skin due to chloramine and hard water minerals.
- Exacerbation of eczema and other sensitive skin conditions.
- Formation of soap scum residue, leading to dullness and clogged pores.
- Potential for increased skin absorption of volatile organic contaminants.
💇 Hair Effects
- Dry, brittle, and damaged hair texture.
- Fading of hair color and chemical treatments.
- Residue buildup, leading to dullness and lack of shine.
- Difficulty lathering shampoo and conditioner effectively.
🫁 Respiratory Effects
- Inhalation of chloramine and disinfection byproducts (HAA5, TTHM) vapor.
- Irritation of nasal passages, throat, and lungs.
- Potential to trigger or worsen asthma symptoms.
- General respiratory discomfort during and after showering.
✅ What You Can Do About It
Test Your Home's Water
A professional water test provides precise data on contaminants specific to your plumbing, offering a clear picture of what's in your shower water.
Install a Quality Shower Filter
A good shower filter can significantly reduce chlorine, chloramine, heavy metals, and some disinfection byproducts, improving water quality for skin and hair.
Limit Shower Time and Temperature
Shorter, lukewarm showers reduce exposure to volatile contaminants and prevent stripping natural oils from your skin and hair.
Moisturize Immediately After Showering
Applying a rich moisturizer within minutes of exiting the shower helps lock in hydration and counteracts the drying effects of hard or treated water.
Use pH-Balanced Skincare & Haircare
Products formulated to balance pH can help protect your skin and hair barrier against the harshness of tap water and reduce irritation.
Protect Your Skin & Hair From Bismarck's Water
The easiest way to remove chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants from your shower water.
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Related Reading
Is Bismarck tap water safe to shower in?
While Bismarck's tap water meets federal safety standards for drinking, showering exposes you to contaminants differently. Volatile chemicals like chloramine and disinfection byproducts can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin, potentially leading to irritation or long-term health concerns.
Why does my skin feel dry and itchy after showering in Bismarck?
Bismarck's water is moderately hard, meaning it contains higher levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals, combined with chloramine used for disinfection, can strip natural oils from your skin, leading to dryness, itchiness, and irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin or eczema.
Do shower filters really make a difference for Bismarck water?
Yes, shower filters can make a noticeable difference, particularly for Bismarck's water. They are designed to reduce contaminants like chloramine, heavy metals, and sediment, which can alleviate dry skin, improve hair health, and reduce exposure to harmful vapors.
Can Bismarck's water affect my hair color?
Absolutely. The hardness minerals in Bismarck's water can cause buildup on hair strands, making them dull and preventing hair dyes from fully penetrating or lasting as long. Additionally, chlorine and chloramine can strip color, leading to premature fading, especially for chemically treated hair.
What is the 'chlorine smell' I sometimes notice in my Bismarck shower?
The 'chlorine smell' is primarily due to chloramine, the disinfectant used in Bismarck's water treatment. While effective for killing pathogens, chloramine can volatilize in hot shower water, creating a noticeable odor and increasing respiratory exposure to disinfection byproducts.
