Chloramine most of the year
The city's report describes disinfection "in a process that combines chlorine and ammonia, called chloramination." Chloramine lasts longer in pipes than chlorine, keeping a residual through more than 230 miles of distribution lines.
Free chlorine a few weeks a year
The city explains free chlorination as a temporary switch, typically two to four weeks once or twice a year, to remove biofilms from inside pipes. In 2025 it ran September 4 to 24. Free chlorine is the stronger disinfectant and easier to taste. The city advises that people on dialysis or with compromised immune systems ask their physician whether their treatment needs adjusting, and that businesses and residents with fish or lobster tanks adjust their treatment.
Why ordinary carbon struggles
Activated carbon removes free chlorine fairly quickly. Chloramine reacts more slowly, so it needs longer contact time or catalytic carbon. A pitcher or faucet filter rated only for chlorine may handle the September weeks better than the rest of the year. Details: chloramine in city water: choosing a filter.
Certification checklist
- NSF/ANSI 42 listing that names chloramine reduction, not just chlorine.
- The exact model number on the certifier's listing.
- Rated capacity and flow for your home.
- A replacement interval based on your measured level and use.
Options
| Option | Covers |
|---|---|
| Whole-home city water system | Every tap and shower |
| Under-sink alkaline RO | Drinking and cooking water |
| Shower filter | One shower, limited contact time |
See whole-home filtration and under-sink RO.
Fridge filters and pitchers you already own also meet chloramine. Check whether each one's certification names chloramine and replace it on time; an exhausted cartridge does little.
Chloramine across the year: a quick guide
| Period | Disinfectant | What you may notice |
|---|---|---|
| Most of the year | Chloramine (2.6 ppm running average in 2025) | Mild chemical taste or smell, steady |
| Free chlorination weeks (September 4 to 24 in 2025) | Free chlorine | Stronger chlorine smell; brief discoloration from hydrant flushing |
A filter designed for chloramine handles both. A filter rated only for chlorine works best during the short free chlorine period and least during the rest of the year, which is the opposite of what most households need.
Measure first
Your level depends on location and water use. Jorge measures chloramine at your tap and recommends only what fits. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
https://www.deerfield-beach.com/DocumentCenter/View/18839/WQR-2022-Web-ADA-Final
https://www.deerfield-beach.com/238/Environmental-Services-Engineering
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist