Chlorine & Chloramine Water Filter in Lauderdale Lakes

What the county says

The report's disinfection section reads that disinfection is accomplished by the addition of chlorine and ammonia, otherwise known as chloramines, and that a small residual is maintained throughout the distribution system to control microbial regrowth. The table lists the residual as chlorine because chloramine is measured as total chlorine. Among Broward County's districts, the 2025 figures ranged from 3.1 to 3.9 ppm; District 1 was 3.8.

Why that is a filter problem

• Stable by design: the EPA notes chloramine lasts longer in pipes than free chlorine.
• Slow with carbon: standard activated carbon reacts with it slowly.
• High residual: at close to 4 ppm, small cartridges get used up faster than their labels suggest.

Byproducts in District 1

Disinfection byproducts form when disinfectant reacts with natural organic matter. The 2025 report lists District 1's HAA5 at 56.1 ppb against a limit of 60 and TTHM at 54.1 ppb against 80, both in compliance. Some households look at carbon filtration for these as well; if that is your interest, check the model's listing for specific claims.

What to look for

• Catalytic carbon or media designed for chloramine.
• A chloramine reduction claim on the exact model's NSF/ANSI 42 listing. A chlorine claim is not enough.
• Size for contact time at peak flow.

Living Water describes its Puronics Clarius iGen and Goodspring whole-home systems as removing chloramine and chlorine.

Test at your own tap

The county's number is a system figure. Your tap can read higher or lower depending on how far you are along the distribution lines and how long water sat in your pipes. Jorge measures total and free chlorine at a cold kitchen tap, and the gap between them confirms the chloramine. It takes a few minutes and tells you exactly what the filter must handle.

Free chlorine periods

District 1 periodically switches to free chlorine for routine distribution maintenance; in 2026 the period ran until September 28 after an extension. A chloramine-rated filter handles free chlorine too. Aquarium owners should ask a pet store about dechlorination at both times, and anyone on dialysis should follow their provider's instructions about chloramine.

Whole home or kitchen

A whole-home system covers every shower and tap. For drinking water only, under-sink RO with suitable carbon stages may be enough. See the chloramine filter guide, or call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974 for a free test.

Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist