Is Pierre, South Dakota Shower Water Safe? What's In Your Water (2026)
Khat Cruz
Last updated: April 2026.
Is Pierre, South Dakota Shower Water Safe?
Population: 14,091 · Water Source: Missouri River (Lake Sharpe)
For health-conscious residents and parents in Pierre, South Dakota, understanding what's in your shower water in 2026 is crucial. While Pierre's tap water meets federal safety standards for drinking, certain contaminants can still impact your skin, hair, and respiratory health, making it essential to know what you're exposed to during your daily routine.
💧 Where Does Pierre's Water Come From?
Primary Source: Missouri River (Lake Sharpe)
Pierre's water supply is drawn from the Missouri River, specifically Lake Sharpe, a large reservoir. This surface water undergoes a multi-stage treatment process to ensure it's safe for consumption, removing sediment, bacteria, and other impurities before distribution to homes. The natural mineral content from the river contributes to water hardness.
Treatment: Coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and chloramination for disinfection.
🔬 What's In Pierre's Shower Water?
Here are the key contaminants detected in Pierre'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) | 45.76 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (763x above) |
| Arsenic | 2.00 ppb | 10.0 ppb | 0.0040 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (500x above) |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 41.22 ppb | 80.0 ppb | 0.150 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (275x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 22.90 ppb | 60.0 ppb | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (229x above) |
| Manganese | 2500.0 ppb | No federal limit | 100.00 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (25x above) |
| Molybdenum | 3.71 ppb | No federal limit | 40.00 ppb | ⚠️ No Federal Limit |
| Chromium (hexavalent) | 0.0012 ppb | No federal limit | 0.020 ppb | ⚠️ No Federal Limit |
| Chlorate | 10.00 ppb | No federal limit | 210.00 ppb | ⚠️ No Federal Limit |
| Vanadium | 0.871 ppb | No federal limit | 21.00 ppb | ⚠️ No Federal Limit |
| Strontium | 1.32 ppb | No federal limit | 1500.00 ppb | ⚠️ No Federal Limit |
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: 23.74 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.
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: 1.43 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.
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: 26.77 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: 12.16 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.
Manganese
The health guideline of 100 ppb for manganese was defined by the state of Minnesota as a health risk limit, the concentration of a contaminant that can be consumed with little or no risk to health. This health guideline protects against harm to the brain and nervous system.
Comparison: State average: 55.49 ppb. National average: 8.66 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.
Molybdenum
The health guideline of 40 ppb for molybdenum was defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as a benchmark for testing under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule program. This health guideline protects against metabolic changes and excess formation of uric acid in the blood.
Comparison: State average: 3.92 ppb. National average: 1.49 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.
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: 0.246 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.
Chlorate
The health guideline of 210 ppb for chlorate was defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as a benchmark for testing under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule program. This health guideline protects against hormone disruption.
Comparison: State average: 87.73 ppb. National average: 116.8 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.
Vanadium
The health guideline of 21 ppb for vanadium was defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as a benchmark for testing under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule program. This health guideline protects against change in blood chemistry.
Comparison: State average: 1.33 ppb. National average: 1.54 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.
Strontium
The health guideline of 1,500 ppb for strontium was defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as a benchmark for testing under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule program. This health guideline protects against harm to bones.
Comparison: State average: 0.381 ppb. National average: 0.488 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.
🧴 How Pierre'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 Pierre's water quality may be affecting you:
🧖 Skin Effects
- Dry, itchy skin
- Exacerbated eczema and psoriasis
- Soap scum residue leading to irritation
- Potential for chemical absorption
💇 Hair Effects
- Dull, brittle hair
- Mineral buildup causing hair damage
- Difficulty lathering shampoo
- Fading of hair color
🫁 Respiratory Effects
- Irritation from inhaled chloramine vapors
- Potential for TTHM/HAA5 inhalation during hot showers
- Aggravation of asthma or other respiratory sensitivities
- Dryness of nasal passages and throat
✅ What You Can Do About It
Test Your Home's Water
A home water test can provide specific insights into contaminant levels in your unique plumbing, helping you identify what issues are most relevant to your household.
Install a Quality Shower Filter
Shower filters are effective at reducing chlorine/chloramine and other contaminants like DBPs and heavy metals, leading to noticeable improvements in skin and hair health.
Use Lukewarm Water
Hot water increases the release of volatile contaminants like chloramine and DBPs into the air, and can strip natural oils from your skin and hair.
Moisturize Immediately After Showering
Applying moisturizer to damp skin helps lock in hydration and creates a barrier against environmental irritants, counteracting the drying effects of hard or chlorinated water.
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 thorough solution.
Protect Your Skin & Hair From Pierre's Water
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Related Reading
- why your skin feels dry after showering
- shower water making skin look dull
- why hair feels oily after showering
- trihalomethanes in treated water
- manganese contamination in water
Is Pierre tap water safe to shower in?
While Pierre's tap water meets federal drinking water standards, it contains disinfectants like chloramine and their byproducts, along with hardness minerals. These can impact sensitive skin, hair, and respiratory health, especially during prolonged hot showers.
Why does my skin feel dry after showering in Pierre?
The presence of chloramine and high levels of hardness minerals in Pierre's water are primary culprits. Chloramine can strip natural oils, while hard water minerals react with soap, leaving a film on your skin that contributes to dryness and irritation.
Can shower filters really help with Pierre's water?
Yes, a good quality shower filter can significantly reduce chloramine, chlorine, and certain disinfection byproducts. This can lead to softer skin, shinier hair, and less respiratory irritation from steam inhalation.
What about the smell of chlorine in my shower?
The 'chlorine' smell in Pierre's shower water is likely from chloramine, the disinfectant used. Heating the water releases these volatile chemicals into the air, making the odor more noticeable and increasing inhalation exposure.
Is hard water in Pierre bad for my hair?
Absolutely. Hard water minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium, can build up on your hair strands, making them feel dull, brittle, and difficult to manage. It can also cause hair color to fade faster and reduce shampoo lather.
