Is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Shower Water Safe? What's In Your Water (2026)
Khat Cruz
Last updated: April 2026.
Is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Shower Water Safe?
Population: 302,407 · Water Source: Allegheny River
Understanding what's in your shower water is crucial for your health and well-being, especially in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While the city's tap water meets federal drinking standards, the unique composition of Pittsburgh's water can impact your skin, hair, and respiratory health during showering. Knowing these details empowers you to make informed choices for a safer shower experience.
💧 Where Does Pittsburgh's Water Come From?
Primary Source: Allegheny River
Pittsburgh's primary water source is the Allegheny River, a major tributary of the Ohio River. Water is drawn from the river, treated at the Aspinwall Water Treatment Plant, and then distributed throughout the city. The treatment process involves coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to ensure it meets drinking water standards.
Treatment: Chloramination, Filtration, Coagulation, Sedimentation
🔬 What's In Pittsburgh's Shower Water?
Here are the key contaminants detected in Pittsburgh'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) | 32.67 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (545x above) |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 52.33 ppb | 80.0 ppb | 0.150 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (349x above) |
| Bromodichloromethane | 14.70 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (245x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 20.64 ppb | 60.0 ppb | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (206x above) |
| Trichloroacetic acid | 9.84 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (98x above) |
| Chloroform | 31.35 ppb | No federal limit | 0.400 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (78x above) |
| Dibromochloromethane | 6.17 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (62x above) |
| Dichloroacetic acid | 9.51 ppb | No federal limit | 0.200 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (48x above) |
| Chromium (hexavalent) | 0.535 ppb | No federal limit | 0.020 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (27x above) |
| Dibromoacetic acid | 0.737 ppb | No federal limit | 0.030 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (25x 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: 29.86 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.
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: 35.75 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: 8.16 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: 21.93 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.
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: 10.70 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: 24.28 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.
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: 2.91 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.
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: 10.27 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.
Chromium (hexavalent)
The health guideline of 0.02 ppb for chromium (hexavalent) 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: 0.235 ppb. National average: 0.440 ppb.
Shower Impact: Hexavalent chromium can be absorbed through the skin during bathing, adding to overall exposure beyond 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: 0.436 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.
🧴 How Pittsburgh'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 Pittsburgh's water quality may be affecting you:
🧖 Skin Effects
- Increased dryness and flakiness due to mineral residue and chlorine
- Exacerbation of eczema, psoriasis, and other sensitive skin conditions
- Clogging of pores leading to breakouts or dull complexion
- Itchiness and irritation from chemical exposure
💇 Hair Effects
- Dull, brittle, and frizzy hair texture
- Accelerated fading of hair color due to chlorine
- Residue buildup making hair feel heavy and greasy
- Scalp dryness and irritation leading to dandruff or itchiness
🫁 Respiratory Effects
- Irritation of nasal passages and throat from chloramine off-gassing
- Exacerbation of asthma and other respiratory sensitivities due to inhaled disinfection byproducts
- Sinus dryness and discomfort
- General respiratory discomfort during and after showering
✅ What You Can Do About It
Test Your Water
A professional water test can identify the exact contaminants and hardness levels in your home's water, providing a personalized understanding of your shower water quality.
Install a Quality Shower Filter
A shower filter specifically designed to reduce chlorine, chloramines, and sediment can significantly improve your shower water quality, leading to healthier skin and hair.
Reduce Shower Time and Temperature
Shorter, cooler showers minimize your exposure to harmful contaminants that volatilize into steam and reduce the stripping of natural oils from your skin and hair.
Moisturize Immediately
Apply moisturizer to damp skin within minutes of showering to lock in hydration, counteracting the drying effects of hard water and chlorine.
Improve Bathroom Ventilation
Using an exhaust fan or opening a window during and after showering helps to dissipate steam and reduce the concentration of inhaled contaminants.
Protect Your Skin & Hair From Pittsburgh's Water
The easiest way to remove chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants from your shower water.
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Related Reading
Is Pittsburgh tap water safe to shower in?
While Pittsburgh's tap water meets federal drinking water standards, it contains disinfectants like chloramines and their byproducts, along with minerals causing hardness. These can impact sensitive skin, hair, and respiratory health, making a shower filter a beneficial addition for many.
Why does my skin feel dry after showering in Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh's water contains chloramines, which can strip natural oils from your skin, and is moderately hard, meaning it has dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals can leave a residue, contributing to dryness, irritation, and the exacerbation of conditions like eczema.
Can a shower filter really help with Pittsburgh's water issues?
Yes, a good quality shower filter is designed to reduce common shower water contaminants like chloramines, chlorine, and sediment. This can lead to noticeably softer skin, healthier hair, reduced itching, and less respiratory irritation from inhaled chemicals, improving your overall shower experience.
What causes the 'chlorine' smell in my Pittsburgh shower?
The smell you detect is primarily due to chloramines, the disinfectant used by Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA). While effective for water safety, chloramines can off-gas into the air and react with organic matter, creating a distinct odor, especially in warm shower steam.
