Compare the options
| Option | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Pitcher | Small households, occasional use | Chloramine certification is not universal |
| Fridge filter | Cold water and ice convenience | Small capacity, frequent changes |
| Under-sink alkaline RO | Daily drinking and cooking | Cabinet space and drain |
| Whole-home | Chloramine taste and smell everywhere | Does not lower dissolved solids |
Countertop and faucet-mount filters are another option for renters and small kitchens. Whatever you choose, the certification listing and the cartridge schedule matter more than the brand on the box.
What makes Miami Shores different
The disinfectant is chloramine, averaging 2.5 ppm in WASD's 2025 report, so a pitcher or fridge filter must be certified for chloramine, not just chlorine, to reduce its taste. Fluoride has not been added since June 6, 2025. WASD also publishes PFAS results for its main system; if PFAS is your concern, only a model certified for PFOA and PFOS reduction under NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 counts.
Sodium in WASD's main system is listed at 33 ppm. If you compare tap water with bottled water labels, those per-liter mineral figures are a useful reference, and RO water will be much lower in dissolved minerals before the alkaline stage adds some back.
Older homes
In older houses, the plumbing between the street and the faucet can affect what comes out. Check your service line in WASD's inventory at miamidade.gov/knowyourpipes. If lead is a concern, pick a model whose listing names lead reduction, and consider a certified lab test.
Older fixtures can matter too. Faucets and valves installed decades ago may contain materials that newer ones do not, and replacing a kitchen faucet is sometimes a sensible step alongside any filter.
Our usual recommendation
Daily drinkers and cooks: an under-sink alkaline RO. Bothered by shower smell too: add whole-home filtration. Light use: a certified pitcher, and Jorge will tell you so.
Households that buy bottled water should count what they use per month and compare with an RO filter schedule. Our bottled water vs. RO calculator makes that easy.
Decide in four steps
- Name what you want to change.
- Check the certification for that claim.
- Compare filter schedules.
- Test your tap.
Call, text or WhatsApp Jorge at (305) 793-5974.
If you are unsure, start small. Many families begin with an under-sink RO, live with it for a few months, and only then decide whether the shower and laundry are worth treating too. Jorge does not push the bigger system on day one.
https://www.miamidade.gov/resources/water/documents/2025-water-quality-report.pdf
https://www.miamidade.gov/knowyourpipes
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist