The options
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Pitcher | Short stays, light use | Small capacity; many list chlorine, not chloramine |
| Fridge filter | Convenience | Listing and change schedule |
| Under-sink alkaline RO | Tower units and houses | Cabinet space, filter changes, drain water |
| Whole-home | Village houses | Not usually possible in a tower |
| Bottled or delivery | Occasional use | Carrying, storage, recycling |
Many households combine two: RO at the kitchen sink and the refrigerator connected to it.
Chloramine narrows the field
The Village's 2025 data sheet lists chloramine at 2.5 ppm. Many basic filters are rated only for chlorine taste and odor. Check that the exact model lists chloramine reduction, or choose a system with carbon designed for it. Taste is personal: some people like tap water once chloramine is gone, others prefer RO with remineralization. A side-by-side taste after the test helps.
Why the faucet is the right place in a tower
Between the Village meter and your glass, tower water passes through equipment the association owns. Its condition varies by building and by year. Treating at the faucet means your drinking water does not depend on when a storage tank was cleaned or a riser replaced. Those remain association responsibilities, and they matter, but your glass is treated either way.
Tower checklist
- Association rules for plumbing work in units.
- Cabinet space and a working cold-water shutoff.
- A leak stop under the sink.
- A plan for months away: close the valve, flush on return.
- Who changes filters if the unit is rented.
If you also own a home elsewhere, a familiar system in both places makes filter changes easier to remember.
What Living Water offers
Living Water installs multi-stage alkaline RO with a dedicated faucet and whole-home city water systems for houses. Specific contaminant claims depend on each model's certification; see PFAS if that is your concern. Compare whole-house vs. under-sink filters and run numbers with the bottled water vs. RO calculator.
Ownership over time
The best system is one you will keep up. Pitchers need frequent cartridges; fridge filters need changes on the maker's schedule; RO needs pre-filters, a membrane and an alkaline cartridge at set intervals; whole-home media lasts longer but is a bigger replacement. For part-time residents, choose something easy to shut off and flush on return.
Choose with a test
Jorge tests at your faucet free and recommends what fits, including "keep what you have" when that is the honest answer. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
https://balharbourfl.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2025-Water-Quality-Data-Miami-Dade-County-and-Village-of-Bal-Harbour.pdf
https://balharbourfl.gov/departments/public-works-beautification/water/
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist