Is New Orleans, Louisiana Shower Water Safe? What's In Your Water (2026)
Khat Cruz
Last updated: April 2026.
Is New Orleans, Louisiana Shower Water Safe?
Population: 376,971 · Water Source: Mississippi River
Understanding what's in your shower water is crucial for your health and well-being, especially in New Orleans, Louisiana. With the city's unique water source and treatment methods, residents often encounter specific contaminants that can impact skin, hair, and even respiratory health. Don't let unknown elements in your shower water compromise your daily routine.
💧 Where Does New Orleans's Water Come From?
Primary Source: Mississippi River
New Orleans's water supply is primarily sourced from the mighty Mississippi River. This surface water undergoes extensive treatment at the Sewerage & Water Board's facilities, including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration, before disinfection. The river's dynamic nature means water quality can fluctuate with environmental conditions.
Treatment: Chloramination (chlorine + ammonia)
🔬 What's In New Orleans's Shower Water?
Here are the key contaminants detected in New Orleans'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) | 20.87 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (348x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 20.82 ppb | 60.0 ppb | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (208x above) |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 21.43 ppb | 80.0 ppb | 0.150 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (143x above) |
| Bromodichloromethane | 6.06 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (101x above) |
| Dichloroacetic acid | 13.97 ppb | No federal limit | 0.200 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (70x above) |
| Trichloroacetic acid | 4.78 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (48x above) |
| Chloroform | 13.95 ppb | No federal limit | 0.400 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (35x above) |
| Dibromoacetic acid | 0.508 ppb | No federal limit | 0.030 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (17x above) |
| Dibromochloromethane | 1.40 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (14x above) |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) | 0.0000 ppt | 4e-06 ppt | 0.0000 ppt | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (10x 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: 21.39 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: 17.81 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: 28.16 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: 6.58 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.
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: 9.07 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.
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: 5.65 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.
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: 14.72 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: 1.85 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: 4.49 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.
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.
🧴 How New Orleans'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 New Orleans's water quality may be affecting you:
🧖 Skin Effects
- Dry, itchy skin due to chloramine and hard water minerals stripping natural oils.
- Exacerbation of eczema and other sensitive skin conditions.
- Potential irritation and redness from disinfection byproducts.
- Soap scum residue left on skin, clogging pores.
💇 Hair Effects
- Dull, brittle, and frizzy hair texture from mineral buildup and chlorine exposure.
- Reduced lathering of shampoos, leading to more product use and residue.
- Color fading in treated hair due to oxidizing agents like chloramine.
- Scalp dryness and irritation.
🫁 Respiratory Effects
- Irritation of nasal passages and lungs from inhaling volatilized chloramines and disinfection byproducts (TTHMs, HAA5s) in steam.
- Asthma and allergy flare-ups in sensitive individuals.
- Coughing or shortness of breath during or after showering.
- General discomfort from chemical odors.
✅ What You Can Do About It
Test Your Shower Water
Understanding your home's specific water profile is the first step. Home testing kits or professional services can reveal exact contaminant levels.
Install a Quality Shower Filter
A multi-stage shower filter can effectively reduce chloramines, disinfection byproducts, heavy metals, and hardness minerals, improving water quality.
Limit Shower Duration and Temperature
Shorter, cooler showers reduce exposure to steam-borne contaminants and prevent excessive stripping of natural skin and hair oils.
Use Gentle Skincare and Hair Products
Opt for moisturizing, sulfate-free, and paraben-free products to counteract the drying effects of hard or treated water.
Stay Hydrated and Moisturize Regularly
Drinking plenty of water and applying a rich moisturizer immediately after showering helps combat dryness and protects your skin's barrier.
Protect Your Skin & Hair From New Orleans's 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
- chromium-6 in tap water
- fluoride effects on skin
Is New Orleans tap water safe to shower in?
While New Orleans tap water meets federal safety standards for drinking, showering introduces unique exposure pathways. Contaminants like chloramine and disinfection byproducts can be inhaled in steam or absorbed through the skin, potentially causing irritation and long-term health concerns, especially for sensitive individuals.
Why does my hair feel dry and my skin itchy after showering in New Orleans?
The presence of chloramine, a disinfectant, and moderate water hardness are common culprits. Chloramine can strip natural oils from skin and hair, while mineral deposits from hard water can leave a residue, leading to dryness, itchiness, and dullness.
What are Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) and why are they in New Orleans water?
DBPs like TTHMs and HAA5s form when disinfectants (like chloramine) react with natural organic matter in the Mississippi River water. While necessary for killing harmful pathogens, these byproducts are regulated due to potential long-term health risks from exposure, including through shower steam.
Do shower filters really make a difference for New Orleans water?
Yes, a high-quality shower filter can significantly improve your shower water experience in New Orleans. They are designed to reduce chloramines, heavy metals, and other contaminants that contribute to dry skin, hair damage, and respiratory irritation, making your shower water feel softer and cleaner.
How does New Orleans's water hardness affect my showering experience?
New Orleans's moderately hard water contains elevated levels of calcium and magnesium. These minerals react with soap to form scum, reducing lather and leaving residue on your skin, hair, and shower surfaces. This can lead to dry skin, dull hair, and increased cleaning efforts.
