Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis in Bal Harbour

Why treat at the faucet in a tower

Bal Harbour Village delivers County water to each building's meter. From there, high-rise water typically goes through booster pumps, sometimes storage tanks, and long risers before reaching your kitchen. That equipment belongs to the association, and its condition varies from building to building. An RO system at your sink treats whatever arrives, so your drinking water does not depend on when a tank was last cleaned or a riser replaced.

What RO does and does not do

• Does: reduce chloramine taste through suitable carbon stages, lower dissolved solids through the membrane, and add minerals back through the alkaline stage.
• Does not: treat the shower or other faucets, or make claims beyond what the exact model's NSF/ANSI 58 listing shows.
• Uses: some water to drain while producing clean water; ask for the model's ratio.

Most owners notice the difference first in coffee, tea and ice, where the chloramine note disappears.

Before you install in a condo

1. Read the association's rules on plumbing alterations and approved contractors.
2. Ask management about certificates of insurance, work hours and notice requirements.
3. Check the cold-water shutoff under the sink; older valves sometimes need replacing first.
4. Pick the faucet location; drilling stone countertops needs care.
5. Decide on a line to the refrigerator or ice maker.
6. Add a leak stop or detector; in a tower, water travels to the units below.

Chloramine and pre-filters

RO membranes must be protected from chlorine-based disinfectants. Chloramine is slower to break down in ordinary carbon than free chlorine, so ask which pre-filter is used and how often it is changed at your water use. During WASD's yearly two-week free chlorine period, the same pre-filter handles chlorine easily. Changing pre-filters on time is cheaper than replacing a membrane early.

Part-time residents

Many Bal Harbour owners are here part of the year. Before you leave, close the RO supply valve. When you return, open it, let the tank fill and drain once, and check whether any filter change came due while you were away. If the unit is rented, leave the schedule inside the cabinet door and agree on who handles changes.

A tankless model avoids storing water in a tank during long absences, which some part-time owners prefer.

Get a test at your tap

Jorge tests at your kitchen sink and tells you whether RO fits. See the compact alkaline RO and alkaline vs. standard RO, then call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.

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