Why chloramine, and why you notice it
Chloramine is chlorine combined with ammonia. It breaks down more slowly than free chlorine, so it keeps protecting water as it moves through long mains and up through a building's tanks and risers. NMB Water's 2025 Water Quality Report lists chloramines as the disinfectant it monitors across its system, within the regulatory maximum of 4 ppm. The trade-off is the faint pool-like taste and smell many people notice, especially in a hot shower.
The free-chlorine weeks
About once a year NMB Water switches the Norwood plant from chloramine to free chlorine and flushes hydrants for roughly two weeks; its newsletter notes that customers across its service area, which includes Aventura, may notice a slight chlorine taste or odor and temporary discoloration during that time. Miami-Dade WASD runs a similar conversion; in 2025 it ran October 13 to 26. A filter that handles chloramine handles free chlorine as well.
Why plain carbon can fall short
Activated carbon removes free chlorine quickly. Chloramine needs more contact time and, usually, a catalytic carbon media designed for it. That is why a small pitcher or shower filter rated only for chlorine can leave the smell behind, and why a whole-home system for chloramine is sized larger than one for chlorine alone. Our chloramine filter guide goes deeper.
What certification to check
- NSF/ANSI 42 covers aesthetic reductions. Look for a listing that names chloramine, not only chlorine.
- NSF/ANSI 58 covers reverse osmosis drinking-water systems.
- Check the exact model number in the certifier's online listing, with its rated flow and capacity.
Living Water describes its Puronics Clarius iGen and Goodspring whole-home systems as removing chlorine and chloramine; ask Jorge for the documentation on the exact unit he quotes.
Options for condos and houses
| Home | Option | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Condo unit | Under-sink RO with carbon pre-filters | Kitchen drinking and cooking water |
| Condo unit | Chloramine-rated shower filter | One shower; small media, frequent changes |
| Townhome or house | Whole-home catalytic carbon system | Every tap and shower |
| Townhome or house | Whole-home plus under-sink RO | Everything, with RO for drinking water |
Checking your current filter
Fill one glass from the tap and one from your filter, let both warm to room temperature and smell them side by side. If the filtered glass still smells like a pool, the filter may not be rated for chloramine or may be spent. Jorge can measure total chlorine before and after it during the free visit. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
https://www.citynmb.com/DocumentCenter/View/14691/2025-CCR-ENGLISH-web-version
https://www.citynmb.com/DocumentCenter/View/8844/Drops-of-Knowledge-January-2022
https://www.miamidade.gov/water/library/reports/water-quality-2024.pdf
https://www.miamidade.gov/global/release.page?Mduid_release=rel1760030439045816
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist