Is Albany, New York Shower Water Safe? What's In Your Water (2026)
Khat Cruz
Is Albany, New York Shower Water Safe?
Population: 99,224 · Water Source: Alcove Reservoir, Basic Creek Reservoir
Concerned about what's in your shower water in Albany, New York? As of 2026, understanding your water quality is crucial for protecting your family's health and well-being. Knowing the potential contaminants can help you address issues like dry skin, brittle hair, and respiratory irritation caused by your daily shower.
💧 Where Does Albany's Water Come From?
Primary Source: Alcove Reservoir, Basic Creek Reservoir
Albany's drinking water primarily originates from the Alcove and Basic Creek Reservoirs, located in a protected watershed south of the city. This surface water system undergoes conventional treatment, including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection, before being distributed to residents. The city maintains a proactive watershed management program to protect its source water quality.
Treatment: Chlorination, filtration, disinfection
🔬 What's In Albany's Shower Water?
Here are the key contaminants detected in Albany'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 (1966x above) |
| Arsenic | 6.55 ppb | 10.0 ppb | 0.0040 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (1638x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) | 55.48 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (925x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 92.57 ppb | 60.0 ppb | 0.100 ppb | 🚨 ABOVE EPA LIMIT (926x above) |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) | 0.0000 ppt | 4e-06 ppt | 0.0000 ppt | 🚨 ABOVE EPA LIMIT (46x above) |
| Trichloroacetic acid | 58.15 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (581x above) |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 75.00 ppb | 80.0 ppb | 0.150 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (500x above) |
| Dibromoacetic acid | 7.20 ppb | No federal limit | 0.030 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (240x above) |
| Bromodichloromethane | 11.47 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (191x above) |
| Chloroform | 75.77 ppb | No federal limit | 0.400 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (189x 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.
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: 0.085 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.
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: 36.36 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: 26.47 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.
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.
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: 16.86 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.
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: 34.01 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.
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: 0.196 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.
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: 5.47 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.
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: 28.74 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 Albany'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 Albany's water quality may be affecting you:
🧖 Skin Effects
- Dry, itchy skin due to chlorine and hard water minerals
- Eczema flare-ups and increased irritation from mineral deposits
- Increased sensitivity and redness from disinfection byproducts
- Premature aging and dullness from chemical exposure
💇 Hair Effects
- Dry, brittle, and frizzy hair from chlorine stripping natural oils
- Hair color fading faster due to chemical oxidation
- Mineral buildup leading to dullness and limp hair
- Scalp irritation and dandruff exacerbated by hard water
🫁 Respiratory Effects
- Asthma and allergy symptoms triggered by inhaled chlorine vapor
- Irritation of nasal passages and throat from disinfection byproducts in steam
- Shortness of breath or coughing during/after showering
- General respiratory discomfort from chemical off-gassing
✅ What You Can Do About It
Test Your Water
A home water testing kit can reveal specific contaminant levels in your residence, providing a personalized understanding of your shower water quality.
Install a Quality Shower Filter
A good shower filter can significantly reduce chlorine, chloramine, heavy metals, and other contaminants, leading to softer skin and hair, and improved air quality.
Shorten Shower Times & Use Cooler Water
Reducing exposure time and opting for cooler showers can minimize the inhalation of steam-borne contaminants and absorption through open pores.
Improve Bathroom Ventilation
Using an exhaust fan or opening a window during showers helps dissipate chemical vapors, reducing respiratory exposure.
Moisturize Immediately After Showering
Applying a high-quality moisturizer to damp skin helps lock in hydration and creates a barrier against environmental irritants, counteracting drying effects.
Protect Your Skin & Hair From Albany's Water
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Related Reading
- psoriasis triggered by shower water
- haloacetic acids in shower water
- nitrates in tap water
- shower water quality in Rochester, New York
- shower water quality in Yonkers, New York
Is Albany tap water safe to shower in?
Albany's tap water meets federal safety standards for drinking water, which generally means it's considered safe for showering. However, contaminants like chlorine, disinfection byproducts, and hard water minerals can still cause skin, hair, and respiratory issues for sensitive individuals or those with specific concerns.
Why does my skin feel dry and itchy after showering in Albany?
The primary culprits are often chlorine, which strips natural oils from your skin, and hard water minerals (calcium and magnesium) that leave a residue. These factors can disrupt your skin's natural barrier, leading to dryness, itchiness, and irritation, especially for eczema sufferers.
Can Albany's shower water affect my hair color or texture?
Yes, chlorine can oxidize and strip hair color, causing it to fade faster, while hard water minerals can accumulate on hair strands, making them feel dull, brittle, and difficult to manage. This can lead to increased breakage and a lack of shine.
What kind of shower filter is best for Albany water?
For Albany, a shower filter that specifically targets chlorine, chloramines, and ideally heavy metals and disinfection byproducts (like TTHMs/HAA5) would be most beneficial. KDF and activated carbon filters are common and effective technologies for these issues, often used in combination.
Are there specific concerns for children or people with eczema in Albany's shower water?
Children and individuals with eczema are often more sensitive to chlorine and hard water, which can exacerbate skin dryness, itching, and irritation. Reducing exposure to these contaminants through filtration and gentle skincare practices is highly recommended to protect their delicate skin.
