The options side by side
| Option | Good for | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Pitcher filter | Low cost, renters | Small cartridges; check chloramine certification |
| Fridge filter | Convenience | Limited contact time; certification varies |
| Under-sink alkaline RO | Drinking and cooking water | Kitchen tap only; filter changes |
| Whole-home system | Chloramine at every tap | Does not lower dissolved solids like RO |
Why chloramine shapes the choice
PBCWUD's eastern system, which serves Greenacres, adds chloramine at a 3.04 ppm running annual average and switches to chlorine only twice a year. Chloramine is more stable than chlorine and harder for small carbon filters to handle. Whatever you choose, check that the model is certified for chloramine reduction, not just chlorine. See chloramine filters in Greenacres.
Why RO is the usual pick
Some of the county's plants use membranes and others lime softening, and the report does not say which serves your street. A home RO system gives you consistent drinking water regardless: carbon stages handle chloramine taste, the membrane removes most dissolved solids, and Living Water's compact alkaline RO adds minerals back for taste. A TDS reading at the tap and at the RO faucet shows the difference.
Pick by household
- Renter, apartment or villa: under-sink RO, with permission.
- Family home: under-sink RO plus a whole-home system if the shower smell bothers you.
- Private well: treat the well first, then add RO.
- Office or gym: RO sized for the number of people.
Specific contaminants
If you want reduction of a specific contaminant such as lead, PFAS or fluoride, the model must be certified for it under the right NSF/ANSI standard; check the exact model listing. PBCWUD's inventory found no lead service lines, but older fixtures inside a home can still matter. See PFAS and fluoride in Greenacres.
Bottled water vs. a system
Many households buy bottled water mainly for taste. RO gives you drinking water on tap; whether it saves money depends on how much you drink. The bottled water vs. RO calculator walks through it. Jorge tests your tap and explains which option fits. Living Water offers financing through its financing partners; you apply with a credit application, and a co-applicant can apply with you. Call, text or WhatsApp Jorge at (305) 793-5974.
https://discover.pbc.gov/waterutilities/PubDoc/CCR_2025.pdf
https://discover.pbc.gov/waterutilities/Pages/Lead-and-Copper.aspx
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist