Dry, Itchy Skin After Showering in Sweetwater

What is in a Sweetwater shower

• Chloramine: WASD's 2025 report lists 2.5 ppm in the main system, up to 4.0. In hot steam, many people notice the smell.
• Hardness: the Hialeah and Preston plants soften the water, but some hardness remains and can leave a soap film.

Only a test at your tap shows how much of each you have.

Water is one factor among several

Hot, long showers, harsh soaps, air conditioning and low indoor humidity all dry skin, whatever is in the water. If you have eczema, psoriasis, or itching that does not go away, see a dermatologist. Treating water is about comfort, not treating a condition.

Matching the feeling to the cause

Renters and shower filters

Many Sweetwater residents rent and cannot change the main line. A showerhead filter is the usual fallback, but these contain little media and have short contact time, which makes chloramine hard to reduce. If you try one, check that the model actually lists chloramine reduction. If you own the home, a whole-home system treats every bathroom and the laundry.

The two-week chlorine switch

Each year WASD replaces chloramine with free chlorine for about two weeks to clean its pipes; in 2026 that ran from September 28 through October 11. Some people notice their skin and hair feel different during that window. If your symptoms track the calendar, mention it during the test.

Habits that help

• Warm, not hot, water and shorter showers.
• Moisturize right after drying off.
• A gentle cleanser and a thorough rinse.
• Ventilate the bathroom.

Get the numbers

Jorge measures chloramine and hardness at your tap and explains what a system could change. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.

Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist