Is Akron, Ohio Shower Water Safe? What's In Your Water (2026)
Khat Cruz
Is Akron, Ohio Shower Water Safe?
Population: 188,752 · Water Source: Lake Rockwell, Cuyahoga River
For residents of Akron, Ohio, understanding what's in your shower water is crucial for maintaining healthy skin and hair in 2026. While Akron's drinking water meets federal standards, contaminants like chloramine byproducts and hardness minerals can significantly impact your daily shower experience and overall well-being.
💧 Where Does Akron's Water Come From?
Primary Source: Lake Rockwell, Cuyahoga River
Akron's water primarily originates from Lake Rockwell and is supplemented by the Cuyahoga River, both surface water sources. The water undergoes a rigorous treatment process at the Akron Water Plant, including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection, before being distributed to the city. This system ensures compliance with safe drinking water standards.
Treatment: Coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, chloramination
🔬 What's In Akron's Shower Water?
Here are the key contaminants detected in Akron'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) | 59.04 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (984x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 39.01 ppb | 60.0 ppb | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (390x above) |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 51.87 ppb | 80.0 ppb | 0.150 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (346x above) |
| Bromochloroacetic acid | 5.75 ppb | No federal limit | 0.020 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (288x above) |
| Bromodichloromethane | 12.17 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (203x above) |
| Trichloroacetic acid | 15.44 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (154x above) |
| Dichloroacetic acid | 21.84 ppb | No federal limit | 0.200 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (109x above) |
| Chloroform | 35.61 ppb | No federal limit | 0.400 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (89x above) |
| Dibromoacetic acid | 1.54 ppb | No federal limit | 0.030 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (51x above) |
| Dibromochloromethane | 3.61 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (36x 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: 21.62 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.
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: 14.38 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: 35.74 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.
Bromochloroacetic acid
The health guideline of 0.02 ppb for bromochloroacetic acid was defined by as . This health guideline protects against cancer.
Comparison: State average: 3.24 ppb. National average: 2.80 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: 8.85 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.
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: 4.74 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.
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: 7.26 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.
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: 18.75 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.
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: 1.48 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.
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: 5.65 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.
🧴 How Akron'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 Akron's water quality may be affecting you:
🧖 Skin Effects
- Increased dryness and irritation, especially for eczema sufferers
- Exacerbation of skin sensitivities and allergic reactions
- Residue buildup leading to dullness and clogged pores
- Premature aging due to oxidative stress from chlorine byproducts
💇 Hair Effects
- Dryness, brittleness, and increased breakage
- Fading of hair color and chemical treatments
- Mineral buildup causing dullness and lack of shine
- Scalp irritation and flakiness
🫁 Respiratory Effects
- Irritation of the respiratory tract from inhaled chloramine byproducts
- Worsening of asthma and allergy symptoms due to steam inhalation
- Coughing or discomfort during and after showering
- Potential long-term respiratory health concerns from chronic exposure
✅ What You Can Do About It
Test Your Home's Water
A professional water test can identify specific contaminant levels in your home, providing personalized data beyond general city reports.
Install a Quality Shower Filter
A filter designed to reduce chloramines, TTHMs, and hardness minerals can significantly improve your shower water quality, protecting your skin and hair.
Shorten Shower Times
Reducing the duration of hot showers minimizes your exposure to steam-borne contaminants and hot water's drying effects on skin.
Use Lukewarm Water
Showering with cooler water helps reduce the vaporization of harmful chemicals and prevents stripping natural oils from your skin and hair.
Moisturize Immediately After
Applying a high-quality moisturizer to damp skin post-shower helps lock in hydration and creates a protective barrier against dryness.
Protect Your Skin & Hair From Akron's Water
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Related Reading
- why your skin feels dry after showering
- chromium-6 in tap water
- fluoride effects on skin
- shower water quality in Columbus, Ohio
- shower water quality in Dayton, Ohio
Is Akron tap water safe to shower in?
Akron's tap water meets federal safety standards for drinking, making it generally safe for showering. However, common contaminants like chloramine byproducts and hardness minerals, though below EPA limits, can still cause issues for sensitive skin, hair, and respiratory health, especially during prolonged hot showers.
Does Akron water cause dry skin and hair?
Yes, Akron's water, being moderately hard and treated with chloramines, can contribute to dry skin and hair. The minerals in hard water and the chemicals from disinfection byproducts strip natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and dullness, especially for those with eczema or other skin sensitivities.
What causes the 'chlorine smell' in Akron shower water?
The 'chlorine smell' in Akron's shower water is primarily due to the chloramines used for disinfection. While effective at killing bacteria, chloramines can create a noticeable odor, especially when heated, and can also form disinfection byproducts that are released into the shower steam.
Do shower filters really work for Akron water?
Yes, a good quality shower filter can be highly effective in improving Akron's shower water. Filters designed to remove chloramines, heavy metals, and reduce hard water minerals can significantly reduce exposure to these irritants, leading to noticeable improvements in skin hydration, hair health, and respiratory comfort.
Is Akron's water considered hard?
Akron's water is generally considered moderately hard. While not as extreme as some regions, the presence of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium can lead to issues such as soap scum buildup, reduced lather, and residue on skin and hair, contributing to dryness and dullness.
