The options side by side
| Option | Good for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Pitcher filter | Renters, small households | Small volume; many are rated for chlorine, not chloramine |
| Fridge filter | Convenience | Low flow; check the exact model's listing |
| Under-sink alkaline RO | Drinking and cooking water from a dedicated faucet | Needs cabinet space and a drain connection |
| Whole-home system | Chloramine removal at every tap and shower | Not a substitute for RO if you want polished drinking water |
What Hollywood's water means for the choice
The City of Hollywood blends treated water from two aquifers: Biscayne water goes through lime softening and membrane filtration, and brackish Floridan water goes through reverse osmosis. Everything is disinfected with chloramines, which averaged 2.42 parts per million in 2025. So the main thing your drinking water filter has to handle is chloramine taste and odor, plus any preference you have about minerals, fluoride or PFAS.
Condo, townhouse or house
- Beach and Intracoastal condos: an under-sink alkaline RO is usually the best fit because you cannot treat the building line.
- Single-family homes: many pair a whole-home system with RO at the kitchen sink.
- Offices and gyms: a dedicated RO tap for staff and members.
Renters can still upgrade: pitchers and countertop units need no plumbing, and some landlords approve an under-sink RO if it is installed cleanly and can be removed later. Ask before any install.
Questions to ask before you buy
- What is the exact model certified to reduce, and under which NSF/ANSI standard?
- How often are filters replaced, and what do they cost?
- Does it handle chloramine, not only chlorine?
- Who services it?
If PFAS or fluoride is your reason, see PFAS filters and fluoride filters in Hollywood.
Bottled water vs. a filter
Plenty of Hollywood households still buy cases or jugs of water each week. That is a real ongoing cost in money, storage and trips. A dedicated RO tap removes the hauling and lets you compare filter replacement costs with what you spend on bottles. Try the bottled water vs. RO calculator with your own numbers.
Start with a test
Jorge tests your tap free and explains results in plain words. If a pitcher is all you need, he will say so. If a system fits, you get an itemized quote. Financing is available through Living Water's financing partners with a credit application.
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist