Options compared
| Option | Good for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Pitcher | Renters, small households | Many are certified for chlorine, not chloramine |
| Fridge filter | Convenience at the dispenser | Certification varies by model |
| Under-sink alkaline RO | Chloramine plus dissolved solids at one faucet | Cabinet space, drain water, filter schedule |
| Whole-home chloramine system | Every tap and shower | Does not reduce dissolved solids |
What Delray's water brings to the choice
The city's 2025 report lists chloramines at a 3.7 ppm highest running average, sodium at 31.8 ppm, fluoride at 0.54 ppm (February 2023 sample) and arsenic at 0.72 ppb, all within standards. If chloramine taste is your only complaint, a carbon filter certified for chloramine may be enough. If you also want lower dissolved solids, sodium or fluoride, RO is the common method; check the exact model's NSF/ANSI 58 listing for each claim.
By type of home
- Condo or apartment: under-sink RO, which normally avoids building-level plumbing.
- Single-family home: many pair whole-home filtration with RO in the kitchen.
- Home office or small business: RO sized to daily use.
Alkaline or standard RO
An alkaline stage adds minerals after the membrane for taste and pH. It is a preference, not a health claim. See alkaline vs. standard RO.
Coffee, ice and cooking
Drinking water includes the coffee maker, the ice bin and the pasta pot. Chloramine can affect the taste of coffee and tea, and dissolved minerals leave scale in kettles and espresso machines. An RO line to the refrigerator covers ice, and RO water reduces descaling in small appliances. If you already have a fridge filter, ask whether it should stay once RO feeds the fridge; it can often be bypassed, saving its cartridge cost.
Questions to ask before buying
- Is this model certified for chloramine, not just chlorine?
- Is the carbon prefilter in the RO suited to chloramine, so the membrane is protected?
- Can the faucet use an existing hole in my sink or counter?
- What is the filter schedule, and what do parts involve?
- Will it fit my cabinet and feed my ice maker?
- What does my tap test show, and what will the system change in those numbers?
See it with your own numbers
Jorge tests your tap and shows what RO changes, free. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974. Living Water offers financing through its financing partners; you apply with a credit application, and a co-applicant can apply with you. See under-sink RO in Delray Beach and RO cost.
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist