How the stages work
- Sediment filter: catches particles that would clog later stages.
- Carbon pre-filter: reduces chlorine, which protects the membrane. Florida City's water carries a chlorine residual averaging 1.43 ppm in 2025, per the city's report.
- RO membrane: lowers dissolved solids such as salts and minerals.
- Post-filter and alkaline stage: polishes taste and adds minerals back before the dedicated faucet.
Why a Florida City home might choose RO
- You want water that tastes neutral for coffee, rice, baby bottles or the ice maker.
- You are tired of carrying bottled water.
- Your copper plumbing or older fixtures concern you; Florida City's report shows tap copper at a 90th percentile of 1.1 ppm, below the 1.3 action level, with 2 sampled homes above it. For lead or copper claims, only trust a model certified under NSF/ANSI 58 for that specific reduction.
What installation needs
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Cabinet space | Room for the filter housings and a storage tank, or a compact unit |
| Faucet hole | A dedicated faucet on the sink or countertop |
| Drain connection | RO rinses a share of water to the drain |
| Optional ice-maker line | Many homes connect the refrigerator |
Living Water's compact alkaline RO fits homes, apartments, offices and gyms.
Certifications and claims
RO membranes are tested under NSF/ANSI 58. Every claim, whether for lead, arsenic, fluoride, PFAS or dissolved solids, applies only to the exact model listed and only while filters are changed on schedule. Ask to see the listing for any system you consider, including ours. Read more in alkaline vs. standard RO.
Upkeep
Pre-filters, post-filters and the membrane each have a replacement interval that depends on water use and incoming water quality. Jorge explains the schedule and parts before you buy, and the RO cost page lists what to ask about ongoing costs.
RO for homes on wells
Some properties outside Florida City's limits use a private well. RO can polish well water for drinking, but iron, hydrogen sulfide and hardness should be handled upstream first, or they will foul the membrane quickly. Bacteria and nitrate need a certified lab test before you choose any drinking-water system. See well water near Florida City.
Questions people ask before buying
- Will it fit under my sink? Most standard kitchen cabinets work; compact units help when space is tight.
- Can I connect the fridge? Usually, with an extra line.
- What if I move? An under-sink system can be uninstalled and taken along, with the faucet hole capped.
Call, text or WhatsApp Jorge at (305) 793-5974. He measures dissolved solids at your tap, then again from an RO faucet so you can see the difference yourself.
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist