Starting point: Highland Beach water
The Town of Highland Beach treats deep Floridan Aquifer water with reverse osmosis, then adds lime, phosphate and chlorine. The 2025 report shows chlorine averaging 1.15 ppm and sodium at 54.0 ppm. A drinking water system here is mostly about taste, chlorine and the last stretch of pipe.
Because the town disinfects with free chlorine most of the year, even simple carbon filters handle the taste well. The case for RO rests on convenience, volume and the multi-stage design, not on fixing a problem with the town's water.
Four options compared
| Option | Strengths | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Under-sink alkaline RO | Multi-stage, dedicated faucet, fits condos | Needs cabinet space and a drain connection |
| Pitcher filter | No install | Small volume, frequent changes |
| Fridge filter | Convenient | Limited contact time, model-specific |
| Whole-home filter | Chlorine out at every tap | Not designed to lower dissolved solids; houses only in most cases |
Whatever you choose, follow the replacement schedule. An overdue filter is the most common reason a system stops doing its job, and it is entirely avoidable. Ask whether reminders or service visits come with the system.
Questions that pick the right one
- Do you live in a condo, townhome or house?
- How much water do you drink and cook with daily?
- Are you in Highland Beach year-round or part of the year?
- Do you want to stop buying bottled water?
Answering these takes a few minutes during the visit. The answers usually point clearly to one option, and often the simplest one.
Why Living Water uses alkaline RO
The alkaline stage adds minerals back after the membrane for taste. It is a taste preference, not a health claim. See alkaline vs. standard RO.
Hurricane season
During storms, a building may lose power or water pressure. An RO system needs water pressure to work. Keep stored drinking water as county emergency guidance recommends.
Ask your building how long water service took to come back after past storms.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying a whole-home softener for drinking water taste.
- Letting pitcher or fridge filters go months past their change date.
- Choosing an RO model that will not fit your cabinet.
- Ignoring building rules on plumbing work.
Get a recommendation
Jorge tests at your tap and recommends what fits. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974. See under-sink RO and RO cost.
https://www.highlandbeach.us/DocumentCenter/View/976/Water-Quality-Report-2025
https://www.highlandbeach.us/222/How-Our-Water-is-Treated
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist