The options
| Option | Strengths | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Under-sink alkaline RO | Dissolved solids, chloramine taste, steady supply | One faucet; some drain water |
| Pitcher | Cheap to start, renter-friendly | Small batches; many struggle with chloramine |
| Fridge filter | Convenient | Short contact time; check certifications |
| Whole-home | Chloramine at every tap | Doesn't reduce dissolved solids like RO |
What WASD's report tells you
The 2025 report shows chloramine as the disinfectant, sodium up to 33 ppm, fluoride no longer added since June 2025, and a PFAS table with compliance monitoring underway. For taste and dissolved solids, RO is the strongest at-the-tap option. For any specific contaminant, the exact model must be certified for it.
Because the plants already soften and air-strip the water, the at-home job is mostly taste and dissolved solids.
Matching it to your home
- Family house: kitchen RO, often with whole-home filtration.
- Rental apartment or duplex: kitchen RO with the owner's OK, or a certified pitcher if installation isn't allowed.
- Office or small hotel: RO at the break room or service area, sized to the number of users.
- Private well: treat the well first, then add RO.
Households that cook a lot, fill pets' bowls or prepare baby formula get the most from a dedicated RO faucet; for formula, follow your pediatrician's guidance.
Common mistakes
- Assuming any pitcher handles chloramine.
- Expecting a fridge filter to cover the sink too.
- Expecting whole-home filtration to match RO for drinking water.
- Letting filters run past their schedule.
A short conversation after a test usually avoids all four.
Questions to ask
- Which certifications does the model hold, for which contaminants?
- How often are filters changed, and are they standard sizes?
- How much water goes to the drain?
See whole-house vs. under-sink and carbon vs. RO.
Write the answers down; they make two quotes easy to compare. And ask what happens if the household grows or a fridge line is added later.
Cost at a glance
Pitchers and fridge filters cost little to start but need frequent cartridges. RO has an installation cost and a filter schedule but produces more water at a dedicated faucet. Whole-home costs the most up front and treats everything. See RO cost in Miami Springs.
Jorge gives an itemized quote after the free test, so you can weigh each option against what your household actually drinks and cooks with each week.
Start with a free test
Jorge tests your tap, explains the numbers and recommends what fits, including nothing if nothing is needed. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist