Every water provider in the US is required to publish an annual water quality report. It’s called a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), and it tells you exactly what’s in your tap water.
Most people have never read theirs. If you’re curious about what’s coming out of your shower, here’s how to find it and what to pay attention to.
How to find your report
Option 1: Search “[your city] water quality report” or “[your city] consumer confidence report.” Most water providers publish these as PDFs on their website.
Option 2: Visit the EPA’s database. The EPA maintains a tool that lets you search by zip code or water system name.
Consumer Confidence Report search tool
Option 3: Call your water provider directly. The number is usually on your water bill. They’re required to provide the report on request.
Reports are published annually, usually by July for the previous calendar year’s data. If you can only find last year’s report, that’s fine. Water treatment methods and contaminant levels don’t change dramatically year to year in most systems.
What to look for in the report
1. Disinfectant type
This is the first thing to check. Your report will list either “free chlorine” or “chloramine” (sometimes called “monochloramine”) as the primary disinfectant.
This matters because chlorine and chloramine behave differently on your skin, and different shower filter media are more or less effective against each one.
Learn more about chloramine in tap water
2. Chlorine or chloramine levels
Your report will list the concentration in mg/L (milligrams per liter) or ppm (parts per million). The EPA allows up to 4 mg/L for both chlorine and chloramine. Most systems run between 0.5 and 3.5 mg/L.
Higher levels mean your skin and hair are exposed to more disinfectant during each shower. This is useful context for understanding symptoms like dryness or irritation.
3. Heavy metals
Look for lead, copper, chromium, and mercury. These are the metals an Aquabliss shower filter is designed to reduce. Reports list the “90th percentile” value, which means 90% of samples tested at or below that level.
Lead is the one to pay attention to. Even trace amounts are worth knowing about, particularly in older homes with aging pipes.
4. Hardness
Water hardness is measured in mg/L of calcium carbonate. The report may list this directly, or you may need to look for “calcium” and “magnesium” separately.
Knowing your hardness level helps set expectations. A shower filter reduces chlorine and sediment but does not soften water or reduce dissolved minerals.
[LINK: Blog post — Does a shower filter work for hard water?]
5. Sediment and turbidity
Turbidity measures the cloudiness of water, which is an indicator of suspended particles (sediment). Higher turbidity means more particles in your water.
If your area has high turbidity, your shower filter cartridge may need replacing more often than the standard 3–6 month window.
What the numbers mean for your shower
Your water quality report won’t mention skin or hair. It’s a public health document, not a beauty guide. But the data in it connects directly to how your shower water feels:
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Chlorine above 1.0 mg/L: You’ll likely notice dryness and possibly a chemical smell. A shower filter makes a noticeable difference at these levels.
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Chloramine as primary disinfectant: Standard shower filter media struggle with chloramine. A Vitamin C-based filter (like the Aquabliss SF400) is more effective.
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Lead or copper detected: Even at trace levels, reducing heavy metal exposure is a good idea. Redox media in shower filters reduces these metals.
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Hardness above 120 mg/L: You’re in a hard water area. A shower filter won’t soften the water, but it will reduce the chlorine and sediment that contribute to skin and hair discomfort.
What to do with what you find
Once you know what’s in your water, you can make an informed decision about whether filtration makes sense and which filter fits your situation.
Know your water. Find your filter →
If you’re not sure how to interpret your report, you’re welcome to send it to us. We’re happy to help you understand what’s in your water and what (if anything) a filter can do about it.