Equipment factors
- Number and type of stages. Sediment, carbon, membrane and post-filters. More stages and higher-capacity membranes cost more up front.
- Alkaline remineralization. Living Water's under-sink systems are alkaline RO, with a stage that adds minerals back after the membrane. See alkaline vs. standard RO.
- Tank or tankless. Different designs, footprints and flow. See tankless vs. tank RO.
- Certifications. A model certified under NSF/ANSI 58 for specific claims is worth paying attention to; check the exact model's listing.
Installation factors in Kendall kitchens
- Countertop material. Granite, quartz and porcelain need careful drilling if there is no spare faucet hole.
- Cabinet space. Garbage disposals and older plumbing in some Kendall homes leave less room.
- Drain connection and the cold water supply valve's condition.
- Extra connections, like running RO water to a refrigerator's ice maker.
- Association rules in Kendall's many townhome and condo communities.
Operating and upkeep costs to ask about
The long-term cost of RO lives in maintenance. Ask:
- How often each pre-filter, post-filter and membrane needs replacing at your household's usage.
- What each replacement part costs and whether it is proprietary.
- How much water the system sends to the drain for each gallon produced.
- Whether service visits are included.
Our guides go deeper: RO maintenance and operating costs and RO filter replacement cost.
How Kendall water affects upkeep
WASD water reaching Kendall is lime-softened at the Alexander Orr, Jr. plant and disinfected with chloramine. Hardness and disinfectant both affect how fast pre-filters and membranes work through their life, which is one reason Jorge measures them at your tap before quoting a maintenance schedule. A home on a private well is a different case and may need treatment ahead of the RO system.
What a fair RO quote includes
When you collect quotes, ask each one to list the same items so you can compare honestly:
- The exact model and its certification listings.
- Faucet type and whether drilling is included.
- Any refrigerator or ice maker connection, priced separately.
- The first set of replacement filters, if included, and the schedule after that.
- Warranty length on the membrane, housings and faucet.
Quotes that leave these out are not really cheaper; they just move the cost later. See how to compare water treatment quotes.
Comparing RO with what you spend now
Many Kendall households compare RO with the bottled water they already buy. Our bottled water vs. RO calculator lets you run your own numbers. Living Water also offers financing through its financing partners, with a credit application and an optional co-applicant.
Get your itemized quote after a free test: call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist