Water factors that affect comfort
- Hardness. Calcium and magnesium react with soap to form a film that can leave skin feeling tight and hair feeling dull. Soft water rinses differently, which some people prefer.
- Chloramine. Coral Gables water from the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) is disinfected with chloramine. Some people dislike the smell in a hot shower and the way the water feels.
- Hot water. Long, very hot showers are a common factor in dry skin regardless of water quality.
Coral Gables water in brief
Most of the Gables is supplied by WASD's Alexander Orr, Jr. plant, which lime-treats water to reduce hardness before disinfecting it. Hardness is lower than raw aquifer water, but how much remains at your shower, and how strong the chloramine is there, varies. A test answers both questions for your home.
Once a year WASD temporarily switches to free chlorine for about two weeks. Some residents notice a stronger smell in the shower during that window, which the city announces in its annual notice.
Non-equipment steps to try first
- Shorter, slightly cooler showers
- A gentle, fragrance-free cleanser
- Moisturizer applied right after drying off
- Cleaning the showerhead if it is crusted with scale
If dryness, itching or rashes persist, a dermatologist can diagnose the cause. Water treatment is a comfort choice, not a medical one.
Equipment options and what they do
| Option | What it changes |
|---|---|
| Whole-home filter | Reduces chlorine and chloramine at every shower and tap |
| Water softener | Removes hardness, so soap rinses differently |
| Both | Addresses both factors at once |
| Shower-head filter | Small, one-fixture option; performance on chloramine varies by model |
Living Water describes its Puronics whole-home systems as removing chlorine and chloramine. Read choosing a filter for chloramine.
Older bathrooms and water heaters
Many Coral Gables homes have older bathrooms or water heaters. A heavily scaled showerhead sprays unevenly and can push you toward hotter, longer showers to rinse off, and a water heater set very high makes it easy to overdo the temperature. Checking the heater setting and cleaning or replacing a crusted showerhead are simple steps worth taking before or alongside any treatment equipment.
What Jorge checks
During a free in-home test, Jorge measures hardness and chloramine at your tap, asks what you notice in the shower, and explains whether a filter, a softener, both or neither fits. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
https://www.miamidade.gov/resources/water/documents/2025-water-quality-report.pdf
https://www.coralgables.com/news/annual-water-treatment-notice
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist