Is Durham, North Carolina Shower Water Safe? What's In Your Water (2026)
Khat Cruz
Is Durham, North Carolina Shower Water Safe?
Population: 299,531 · Water Source: Lake Michie, Little River Reservoir
For the nearly 300,000 residents of Durham, North Carolina, understanding the quality of your shower water is crucial for health and well-being. While the city's tap water meets federal drinking standards, what comes out of your showerhead can still impact your skin, hair, and respiratory health, making it vital to know what contaminants might be present.
💧 Where Does Durham's Water Come From?
Primary Source: Lake Michie, Little River Reservoir
Durham's water primarily originates from the Lake Michie and Little River Reservoir systems, both surface water sources. These reservoirs are fed by tributaries within the Neuse River Basin, providing water to the city's treatment plants. The water undergoes a multi-stage purification process to ensure it meets federal and state drinking water standards before distribution.
Treatment: Coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection (chloramination), and fluoridation.
🔬 What's In Durham's Shower Water?
Here are the key contaminants detected in Durham's water supply based on real testing data from the EWG Tap Water Database:
| Contaminant | Level Found | EPA Limit | EWG Guideline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) | 0.0000 ppt | 4e-06 ppt | 0.0000 ppt | 🚨 ABOVE EPA LIMIT (18x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) | 32.41 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (540x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 28.02 ppb | 60.0 ppb | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (280x above) |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 37.08 ppb | 80.0 ppb | 0.150 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (247x above) |
| Trichloroacetic acid | 13.29 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (133x above) |
| Bromodichloromethane | 5.72 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (95x above) |
| Chloroform | 31.22 ppb | No federal limit | 0.400 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (78x above) |
| Dichloroacetic acid | 12.72 ppb | No federal limit | 0.200 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (64x above) |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) | 0.0000 ppt | 4e-06 ppt | 0.0000 ppt | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (23x above) |
| Dibromochloromethane | 0.134 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (1.3x above) |
Contaminant Details
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 (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: 31.30 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: 21.83 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.
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: 8.56 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: 7.17 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: 24.24 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: 11.92 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.
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.
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: 2.88 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 Durham'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 Durham's water quality may be affecting you:
🧖 Skin Effects
- Dry, itchy skin and irritation
- Exacerbation of eczema and other skin conditions
- Soap scum residue leading to dullness
- Premature skin aging due to chemical exposure
💇 Hair Effects
- Dry, brittle, and damaged hair
- Fading of hair color and chemical treatments
- Mineral buildup causing dullness and lack of shine
- Scalp irritation and increased hair shedding
🫁 Respiratory Effects
- Irritation of nasal passages and lungs from chemical vapors
- Potential trigger for asthma and allergy symptoms
- Increased risk of respiratory issues with long-term exposure to disinfection byproducts
✅ What You Can Do About It
Test Your Home's Water Quality
A comprehensive home water test can identify specific contaminants and their levels in your shower water, providing a baseline for targeted solutions.
Install a Quality Shower Filter
A good shower filter can significantly reduce chlorine, chloramine, heavy metals, and disinfection byproducts, leading to softer skin and healthier hair.
Reduce Shower Temperature and Time
Shorter, cooler showers minimize the vaporization of contaminants into steam and reduce skin absorption, lessening exposure to harmful chemicals.
Use Gentle, Moisturizing Products
Opt for sulfate-free shampoos, conditioners, and body washes, and apply a rich moisturizer immediately after showering to combat dryness and maintain skin barrier.
Ensure Bathroom Ventilation
Running a fan or opening a window during and after showering helps dissipate chemical vapors, improving air quality and reducing inhalation risks.
Protect Your Skin & Hair From Durham's Water
The easiest way to remove chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants from your shower 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
- fluoride in shower water
- hexavalent chromium in water
- shower water quality in Fayetteville, North Carolina
- shower water quality in Greensboro, North Carolina
Is Durham tap water safe to shower in?
While Durham's tap water meets federal drinking standards, showering can expose you to contaminants like chloramine and disinfection byproducts through skin absorption and steam inhalation. These can cause skin dryness, hair damage, and respiratory irritation for sensitive individuals.
Why does my skin feel dry and itchy after showering in Durham?
The presence of chloramine and hardness minerals in Durham's water can strip natural oils from your skin, leading to dryness and irritation. These chemicals can also exacerbate conditions like eczema, leaving your skin feeling tight and itchy.
What causes the strong chemical smell in my Durham shower?
The distinct chemical smell, often described as bleach-like, is typically due to chloramine, the disinfectant used in Durham's water treatment. When heated in a shower, it can volatilize and become more noticeable, leading to respiratory irritation.
Will a shower filter really make a difference for Durham water?
Yes, a quality shower filter designed to remove chloramine, chlorine, and heavy metals can make a significant difference. It helps reduce exposure to these irritants, leading to softer skin, shinier hair, and less respiratory irritation from steam.
Is Durham's water considered 'hard water'?
Durham's water is generally considered moderately hard, with mineral content that can contribute to issues like soap scum buildup, dry skin, and dull hair. While not a health risk, hardness can impact the effectiveness of soaps and detergents.
