Is Atlanta, Georgia Shower Water Safe? What's In Your Water (2026)
Khat Cruz
Is Atlanta, Georgia Shower Water Safe?
Population: 499,127 · Water Source: Chattahoochee River, Lake Lanier
For health-conscious residents of Atlanta, Georgia, understanding what's in your shower water is crucial for well-being. Despite rigorous treatment, various contaminants can still be present, impacting your skin, hair, and overall health. Knowing the specifics allows you to make informed decisions about your daily shower routine in 2026.
💧 Where Does Atlanta's Water Come From?
Primary Source: Chattahoochee River, Lake Lanier
Atlanta's drinking water primarily originates from the Chattahoochee River and is supplemented by Lake Lanier, a major reservoir in northern Georgia. This surface water undergoes extensive treatment at facilities like the Hemphill and Chattahoochee Water Treatment Plants, ensuring it meets safety standards before distribution.
Treatment: Coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and chloramination
🔬 What's In Atlanta's Shower Water?
Here are the key contaminants detected in Atlanta'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 (2450x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) | 61.06 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (1018x above) |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) | 0.0000 ppt | 4e-06 ppt | 0.0000 ppt | 🚨 ABOVE EPA LIMIT (52x above) |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) | 0.0000 ppt | 4e-06 ppt | 0.0000 ppt | 🚨 ABOVE EPA LIMIT (15x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 38.08 ppb | 60.0 ppb | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (381x above) |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 52.01 ppb | 80.0 ppb | 0.150 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (347x above) |
| Trichloroacetic acid | 18.33 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (183x above) |
| Bromodichloromethane | 9.66 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (161x above) |
| Chloroform | 40.27 ppb | No federal limit | 0.400 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (101x above) |
| Dichloroacetic acid | 18.64 ppb | No federal limit | 0.200 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (93x 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.
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: 29.13 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.
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.
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
The health guideline of 0.3 ppt for PFOS 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 cardiovascular harm and harm to fetal growth.
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.
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: 21.39 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: 32.88 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.
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: 10.34 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.
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: 5.29 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: 24.45 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: 10.67 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.
🧴 How Atlanta'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 Atlanta's water quality may be affecting you:
🧖 Skin Effects
- Dry, itchy skin
- Eczema flare-ups
- Soap scum residue
- Premature skin aging
💇 Hair Effects
- Dull, brittle hair
- Hair breakage
- Fading hair color
- Scalp irritation and dryness
🫁 Respiratory Effects
- Asthma exacerbation
- Throat irritation from steam
- Allergic reactions
- Increased risk from inhaled disinfection byproducts
✅ What You Can Do About It
Test Your Home's Water
A home water test provides precise data on contaminants specific to your plumbing, revealing what's truly in your shower water.
Install a Quality Shower Filter
Shower filters effectively reduce chlorine, chloramines, and other contaminants, protecting your skin, hair, and lungs from exposure.
Use Lukewarm Water
Hot water opens pores and increases steam, allowing for greater absorption and inhalation of contaminants. Cooler showers reduce this exposure.
Improve Bathroom Ventilation
Running an exhaust fan or opening a window during and after showering helps dissipate chemical vapors, reducing respiratory exposure.
Moisturize Immediately After Showering
Applying moisturizer to damp skin helps lock in hydration and creates a protective barrier against external irritants.
Protect Your Skin & Hair From Atlanta's Water
The easiest way to remove chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants from your shower water.
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Shop Now →❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Related Reading
- why your skin feels dry after showering
- shower water making skin look dull
- why hair feels oily after showering
- chromium-6 in tap water
- fluoride effects on skin
- shower water quality in Savannah, Georgia
Is Atlanta tap water safe to shower in?
While Atlanta's tap water meets regulatory standards for drinking, contaminants like chloramines, disinfection byproducts, and hardness minerals can still impact your skin, hair, and respiratory health during showering. Many residents choose to filter their shower water for enhanced safety and comfort.
Why does my skin feel dry and itchy after showering in Atlanta?
Atlanta's water contains chloramines, which can strip natural oils from your skin, and is moderately hard, leaving mineral residues. These factors contribute to dryness, irritation, and can exacerbate conditions like eczema.
Do shower filters really make a difference for Atlanta water?
Yes, a high-quality shower filter can significantly reduce chloramines, disinfection byproducts, and sediment, leading to noticeable improvements in skin hydration, hair softness, and a reduction in chemical odors. It creates a cleaner, safer showering experience.
What causes the 'chemical smell' in my Atlanta shower water?
The 'chemical smell' is primarily due to chloramines, the disinfectant used by Atlanta Watershed Management. While effective for killing bacteria, these compounds can create a noticeable odor, especially when heated in a shower.
Is Atlanta's water considered 'hard'?
Atlanta's water, sourced from the Chattahoochee River, is typically considered moderately hard. While not as hard as some well water sources, the mineral content can still lead to issues like dry skin, dull hair, and scale buildup in fixtures.
