Is Joliet, Illinois Shower Water Safe? What's In Your Water (2026)
Khat Cruz
Last updated: April 2026.
Is Joliet, Illinois Shower Water Safe?
Population: 150,362 · Water Source: Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Lake Michigan (transitioning)
For residents of Joliet, Illinois, understanding the quality of your shower water is crucial for health and well-being. While municipal water meets federal standards, contaminants present in your shower water can still impact your skin, hair, and respiratory health, making it vital to know what you're exposed to daily.
💧 Where Does Joliet's Water Come From?
Primary Source: Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Lake Michigan (transitioning)
Joliet's water supply is undergoing a significant transition. Historically relying on deep wells and the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, the city is actively working towards fully transitioning to Lake Michigan water by 2030, with increasing reliance on it in the coming years. This shift aims to provide a more sustainable and potentially higher quality water source.
Treatment: The water undergoes conventional treatment processes including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection with chloramines to ensure microbial safety.
🔬 What's In Joliet's Shower Water?
Here are the key contaminants detected in Joliet's water supply based on real testing data from the EWG Tap Water Database:
| Contaminant | Level Found | EPA Limit | EWG Guideline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 5.00 ppb | 10.0 ppb | 0.0040 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (1250x above) |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 37.70 ppb | 80.0 ppb | 0.150 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (251x above) |
| Bromodichloromethane | 13.10 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (218x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 11.80 ppb | 60.0 ppb | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (118x above) |
| Dibromochloromethane | 10.50 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (105x above) |
| Dibromoacetic acid | 2.60 ppb | No federal limit | 0.030 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (87x above) |
| Trichloroacetic acid | 3.80 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (38x above) |
| Radium, combined (-226 and -228) | 1.86 pCi/L | 5.0 pCi/L | 0.050 pCi/L | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (37x above) |
| Chloroform | 12.40 ppb | No federal limit | 0.400 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (31x above) |
| Dichloroacetic acid | 5.40 ppb | No federal limit | 0.200 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (27x above) |
Contaminant Details
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: 0.395 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: 28.74 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.
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: 7.74 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.
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: 13.61 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.
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: 4.25 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.
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: 0.836 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.
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: 4.92 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.
Radium, combined (-226 and -228)
The health guideline of for radium, combined (-226 and -228) was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as . This health guideline protects against cancer.
Comparison: State average: 0.876 pCi/L. National average: 0.332 pCi/L.
Shower Impact: Radioactive contaminants can become aerosolized in shower steam and inhaled, adding to overall exposure.
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: 16.22 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: 7.18 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 Joliet'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 Joliet's water quality may be affecting you:
🧖 Skin Effects
- Dryness and irritation
- Exacerbation of eczema and other skin conditions
- Reduced effectiveness of soaps and moisturizers
- Premature skin aging due to chemical exposure
💇 Hair Effects
- Dryness and brittleness
- Dullness and lack of shine
- Fading of hair color
- Increased hair breakage and scalp irritation
🫁 Respiratory Effects
- Irritation of airways from inhaled chloramines and DBPs
- Potential trigger for asthma and allergy symptoms
- Dryness of nasal passages and throat
✅ What You Can Do About It
Test Your Shower Water
Understanding the exact contaminants in your home's water allows you to choose the most effective solutions tailored to your specific needs.
Install a Quality Shower Filter
A good shower filter can significantly reduce chlorine, chloramines, and disinfection byproducts, protecting your skin and hair from their harsh effects.
Limit Shower Duration and Temperature
Shorter, cooler showers can reduce exposure to volatile contaminants and minimize the drying effects of hot water on skin and hair.
Moisturize Immediately After Showering
Applying a rich moisturizer to damp skin helps lock in hydration and creates a protective barrier against environmental stressors.
Maintain Your Home's Plumbing
Regularly flushing faucets and checking for old pipes, especially if lead is a concern, can help minimize exposure to heavy metals.
Protect Your Skin & Hair From Joliet's Water
The easiest way to remove chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants from your shower water.
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Related Reading
- psoriasis triggered by shower water
- shower water making skin look dull
- why hair feels oily after showering
- haloacetic acids in shower water
- fluoride effects on skin
- shower water quality in Naperville, Illinois
- shower water quality in Rockford, Illinois
Is Joliet tap water safe to shower in?
Joliet's tap water meets federal safety standards for drinking, but showering exposes you to contaminants differently. Inhaling steam and skin absorption of chemicals like chloramines and disinfection byproducts can have unique health impacts, especially for sensitive individuals.
Why does my skin feel dry and itchy after showering in Joliet?
The presence of chloramines, disinfection byproducts, and moderate water hardness in Joliet's water can strip natural oils from your skin. These factors disrupt the skin's barrier, leading to dryness, itchiness, and irritation, particularly for those with sensitive skin or eczema.
Can a shower filter help with hard water in Joliet?
While many shower filters excel at removing chlorine and other chemicals, most standard shower filters are not designed to soften water by removing hardness minerals. For hard water concerns, a whole-house water softener is typically more effective, though some specialized shower filters may offer limited hardness reduction.
What are disinfection byproducts and why are they a concern in Joliet's showers?
Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) like TTHMs and HAA5s form when disinfectants like chloramines react with organic matter in the water. In showers, these chemicals can volatilize into steam and be inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, raising concerns due to their potential long-term health effects.
Will Joliet's transition to Lake Michigan water improve shower safety?
The transition to Lake Michigan water aims to provide a more consistent and potentially higher quality source. While it may alter the profile of certain contaminants, disinfection will still be necessary, meaning issues like chloramines and DBPs will likely persist, though potentially at different levels.
