Is Rochester, New York Shower Water Safe? What's In Your Water (2026)
Khat Cruz
Last updated: April 2026.
Is Rochester, New York Shower Water Safe?
Population: 211,328 · Water Source: Hemlock Lake, Canadice Lake
Understanding the safety of your shower water in Rochester, New York, is crucial for your health and well-being. While Rochester's tap water meets regulatory standards for drinking, certain contaminants present in shower water can still impact your skin, hair, and respiratory system. Knowing what's in your water empowers you to make informed decisions for a healthier shower experience.
💧 Where Does Rochester's Water Come From?
Primary Source: Hemlock Lake, Canadice Lake
Rochester's water primarily originates from the pristine Hemlock Lake and Canadice Lake, located south of the city. These protected, undeveloped sources contribute to high-quality raw water. The water is then transported via a gravity-fed system to the Hemlock Filtration Plant, where it undergoes extensive treatment before distribution.
Treatment: Coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection (chloramination), fluoridation, pH adjustment
🔬 What's In Rochester's Shower Water?
Here are the key contaminants detected in Rochester'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) | 35.02 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (584x above) |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 48.41 ppb | 80.0 ppb | 0.150 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (323x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 28.54 ppb | 60.0 ppb | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (285x above) |
| Bromodichloromethane | 10.07 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (168x above) |
| Trichloroacetic acid | 14.45 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (144x above) |
| Chloroform | 35.66 ppb | No federal limit | 0.400 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (89x above) |
| Dichloroacetic acid | 13.47 ppb | No federal limit | 0.200 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (67x above) |
| Dibromochloromethane | 2.60 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (26x above) |
| Radium, combined (-226 and -228) | 1.11 pCi/L | 5.0 pCi/L | 0.050 pCi/L | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (22x above) |
| Bromochloromethane | 0.433 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (7x 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: 36.36 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: 34.01 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.
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: 26.47 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.
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: 5.47 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.
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: 16.86 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: 28.74 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: 10.99 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.
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: 1.35 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.
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: 0.457 pCi/L. National average: 0.332 pCi/L.
Shower Impact: Radioactive contaminants can become aerosolized in shower steam and inhaled, adding to overall exposure.
Bromochloromethane
The health guideline of 0.06 ppb for bromochloromethane was defined by as . This health guideline protects against cancer, harm to reproduction and child development, and change to fetal growth and development.
Comparison: State average: 0.0066 ppb. National average: 0.0057 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 Rochester'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 Rochester's water quality may be affecting you:
🧖 Skin Effects
- Dryness and irritation, especially for sensitive skin
- Exacerbation of eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions
- Premature aging due to free radical damage from chlorine/chloramines
- Clogged pores and breakouts from mineral residue
💇 Hair Effects
- Dry, brittle, and damaged hair
- Fading of hair color and chemical treatments
- Residue buildup, leading to dullness and limpness
- Scalp irritation and flakiness
🫁 Respiratory Effects
- Irritation of nasal passages and lungs from inhaled chloramine byproducts
- Exacerbation of asthma and allergies
- Coughing or shortness of breath in poorly ventilated bathrooms
- Potential for long-term respiratory issues from chronic exposure to airborne contaminants
✅ What You Can Do About It
Test Your Water
Understanding your home's specific water profile with a professional test can reveal exact contaminant levels and guide your solutions.
Install a Shower Filter
A quality shower filter can significantly reduce chlorine, chloramines, heavy metals, and other contaminants, protecting your skin and hair.
Shorten Shower Times & Lower Temperature
Minimizing exposure time and using cooler water can reduce the amount of contaminants absorbed through your skin and inhaled from steam.
Improve Bathroom Ventilation
Good ventilation helps disperse airborne contaminants and steam, reducing inhalation exposure during and after your shower.
Moisturize Immediately After Showering
Applying a high-quality moisturizer to damp skin locks in hydration and creates a protective barrier against environmental irritants.
Protect Your Skin & Hair From Rochester'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
- chromium-6 in tap water
- fluoride effects on skin
- shower water quality in Buffalo, New York
- shower water quality in Yonkers, New York
Is Rochester tap water safe to shower in?
While Rochester's tap water meets EPA drinking water standards, it contains disinfectants like chloramines and their byproducts, which can be absorbed through the skin and inhaled during showering. For sensitive individuals, or those concerned about long-term exposure, additional filtration can enhance shower water safety.
Why does my skin feel dry and itchy after showering in Rochester?
Rochester's water contains chloramines, which can strip natural oils from your skin, leading to dryness and irritation. Additionally, the moderate hardness of the water can leave mineral residue on your skin, further contributing to a dry, itchy feeling and potentially exacerbating conditions like eczema.
Will a shower filter help with the chlorine smell in Rochester's water?
Yes, a good quality shower filter is highly effective at reducing chloramines and their associated smell. By filtering out these disinfectants, the water will feel and smell cleaner, improving your overall showering experience and reducing potential skin and respiratory irritation.
How does Rochester's water hardness affect my hair?
The moderately hard water in Rochester can cause mineral buildup on your hair, making it feel dry, dull, and brittle. This mineral residue can also prevent shampoos and conditioners from working effectively and may cause hair color to fade more quickly.
Are there specific concerns for people with eczema showering in Rochester?
Individuals with eczema are particularly sensitive to irritants like chloramines and hard water minerals found in Rochester's water. These can strip the skin's protective barrier, leading to increased dryness, itching, and flare-ups. Using a shower filter and moisturizing immediately after showering are highly recommended.
