What the free test measures
| Measurement | Why it matters in Miami Shores |
|---|---|
| Chloramine | WASD's disinfectant; reported at a 2.5 ppm average in 2025 |
| Hardness | WASD lime-softens, but your tap decides whether more is needed |
| Total dissolved solids | Baseline for RO and taste |
| pH | Affects taste and plumbing |
| Iron | Relevant to stains, irrigation and older pipes |
Your tap vs. the county report
WASD's 2025 report gives system-wide results: chloramines averaging 2.5 ppm, sodium at 33 ppm, fluoride at natural levels since fluoridation stopped on June 6, 2025, and a PFAS table for the main system. It is the right starting point. Jorge's readings show what reaches your kitchen after the water travels through the street main, your service line and your home's plumbing.
Two other details help explain differences between neighbors. First, WASD's main system is a shared network fed by several plants, so readings can vary slightly by day. Second, water that sits overnight in household pipes can read differently from water that has been running, which is why Jorge notes when and where each sample is taken.
Lead: what to check
- Look up your address in WASD's lead service line inventory at miamidade.gov/knowyourpipes.
- For lead tap sampling data, WASD lists its laboratory offices at 786-552-4181 or 786-552-4738.
- For a result for your own home, use a certified lab.
Home plumbing, solder and old fixtures can matter as much as the service line, which is why a home-specific test is useful in older neighborhoods.
Homes with irrigation wells
If your sprinklers run from a private well, that water is untreated and separate from your drinking water. Jorge can test it for iron and odor, which cause stains and smells. If you drink from a private well, the Florida Department of Health recommends certified lab testing for bacteria and nitrate at least once a year. See well water in Miami Shores.
How the visit works
- You tell Jorge what you notice.
- He tests at the kitchen tap and, if useful, a bathroom or outdoor spigot.
- He explains each reading.
- If a system fits, you get an itemized quote; if not, he tells you.
See what happens during a home water assessment.
Have your latest WASD bill handy, note any existing filters or softener with their last service date, and write down when problems appear: hot or cold, morning or evening, one tap or all.
Do I need to be home? Yes, so Jorge can test inside and explain the results.
Book
Call, text or WhatsApp Jorge at (305) 793-5974.
https://www.miamidade.gov/resources/water/documents/2025-water-quality-report.pdf
https://www.miamidade.gov/global/water/water-quality-reports.page
https://www.miamidade.gov/knowyourpipes
https://www.floridahealth.gov/community-environmental-public-health/environmental-public-health/water-quality/drinking-water/private-wells/
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist