Pick the scope
| Goal | Usual scope |
|---|---|
| Better drinking water | Under-sink alkaline RO |
| No chloramine smell in showers | Whole-home city water system |
| Both | Whole-home plus kitchen RO |
| Scale in business equipment | Softening plant sized to daily use |
Why the media matters
The City disinfects with chloramines, at a 2.0 ppm highest running annual average and up to 3.4 ppm in 2025 samples. Chloramine needs catalytic carbon or similar media and enough of it for contact time. A quote built around basic carbon may look cheaper but may not do the job. Ask what media is used and whether the model lists chloramine reduction.
Other cost drivers
- Bathrooms and peak flow.
- Main line size and entry point.
- Outdoor installation and sun protection.
- Separating irrigation from the filtered line.
- Association rules in condos and villas.
- Permits where required.
Villa vs. house
In attached villas and townhomes, the main may be shared or hard to reach, so many owners choose under-sink RO and skip whole-home. In detached houses, the main variable is the whole-home system's size and location. Two houses on the same street can need different setups, which is why Jorge looks before quoting.
Costs that come later
The purchase is only part of ownership. Whole-home media is consumed by chloramine and replaced on a schedule; RO prefilters, the membrane and the alkaline cartridge each have their own intervals; a softener uses salt. Ask for each item, how often it is replaced, and whether you can do it yourself. A properly sized whole-home system usually needs media less often than an undersized one working at its limit.
What an itemized quote includes
- Exact models and their NSF/ANSI listings.
- Labor and plumbing changes.
- Replacement schedule for media and filters.
- Warranty on equipment and labor.
- Exclusions.
See why quotes differ and annual ownership cost.
Financing and next step
Living Water offers financing through its financing partners; you apply with a credit application, and a co-applicant can apply with you. Read questions to ask first. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist