The test decides what belongs on the quote
Fort Lauderdale's water is softened at the Fiveash and Peele-Dixie plants and disinfected with chloramines. For most homes on city water, that points to chloramine filtration and maybe RO for drinking water, with a softener only if your test shows real hardness. A property on a private well elsewhere in Broward is a different job with more variables. Either way, the test comes first.
Home type and where the system goes
| Property | Main factors |
|---|---|
| Beach or downtown condo | Under-sink RO; cabinet space, countertop material, building rules |
| Canal or waterfront house | Outdoor main line location, protected placement, service access |
| Older renovated home | Separately plumbed additions, pipe condition at the connection |
| Hotel, restaurant or other business | Water volume, equipment protected, number of fixtures |
Installation extras that change the scope
- Bypass valves and connecting plumbing.
- A drain and outlet for softeners and some systems.
- A protective spot or enclosure for outdoor equipment.
- A new faucet opening for RO in stone countertops.
- Removing old equipment from a previous owner.
- Permits or association approvals where they apply.
Questions worth asking before you sign
- Which result from my test does each item answer?
- Is the system designed for chloramine, which the city uses?
- If a contaminant is mentioned, which NSF/ANSI certification covers this exact model?
- Where exactly will the equipment go, and how is it protected outdoors?
- Who handles service and replacement parts later?
Reading quotes side by side
A complete quote lists the exact equipment and model, labor, plumbing or electrical work, what is included and excluded, the maintenance schedule and the warranty. If one quote includes a softener and another does not, ask which hardness result justifies it, since the city already softens its water. Use how to compare water treatment quotes and why quotes differ.
Owning the system, and financing
Ask how often filters or media are replaced, whether salt is needed, how much water an RO system sends to the drain, and who services it. Our guides on the annual cost of owning a whole-home filter and RO operating costs list the questions.
Living Water offers financing through its financing partners. You apply with a credit application, and a co-applicant can apply with you.
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist