Comfort factors in the water
- Chloramine. Both utilities use it to keep water disinfected through the pipes. Many people notice the smell more in a hot shower, and some say their skin and hair feel drier.
- Hardness. Minerals can leave soap residue on skin and make lather harder to rinse. Plant softening at NMB's Norwood plant and WASD's Hialeah and Preston plants lowers hardness, but your tap may still have some.
- Hot water. Long, hot showers are drying on their own, whatever the water.
We describe these as comfort factors, not medical causes. Skin conditions have many causes, and a dermatologist is the right person to diagnose them.
What a water test shows
Jorge measures total chlorine (which includes chloramine) and hardness at your tap. If the numbers are low and the issue persists, the water is less likely to be the main factor, and he will say so. If they are noticeable, you have a clear target for treatment instead of trying products at random.
Options that treat shower water
| Option | What it addresses | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Whole-home catalytic carbon system | Chloramine taste and odor at every shower and tap | Does not soften |
| Whole-home filter plus softener | Chloramine and hardness | More equipment and salt upkeep |
| Shower-head filter | One shower | Small media; check whether it is rated for chloramine, not just chlorine |
| Under-sink RO | Drinking water only | Does nothing for the shower |
Living Water describes its Puronics whole-home systems as removing chlorine and chloramine. See whole-home filtration in Miami Gardens.
The annual chlorine weeks
For about two weeks a year, NMB Water and WASD switch from chloramine to free chlorine to clean their pipes. WASD's 2025 switch ran October 13 to 26. If your skin or hair feels different only during those weeks, the stronger chlorine smell is a likely reason, and it passes.
Hair, laundry and other clues
Skin is not the only place water shows up. People with chloramine or hardness concerns often mention hair that feels rough or color that fades faster, towels that feel stiff, and soap scum that comes back quickly on the tub. None of these prove anything alone, but together with the test numbers they help Jorge understand whether whole-home filtration, softening or both would make a noticeable difference in your Miami Gardens home, or whether neither is likely to change much.
Simple habits that help
- Shorter, warm rather than hot showers.
- Moisturizer right after drying off.
- Gentle, fragrance-free soap.
These are general comfort tips, not medical advice. If you have eczema, psoriasis or persistent irritation, talk to a dermatologist.
Book
Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974 for a free test. You will see your chloramine and hardness numbers before deciding anything.
https://www.citynmb.com/DocumentCenter/View/14691/2025-CCR-ENGLISH-web-version
https://www.miamidade.gov/water/library/reports/water-quality-2024.pdf
https://www.miamidade.gov/global/release.page?Mduid_release=rel1760030439045816
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist