Starting point: NMB Water
NMB Water's supply is groundwater from the Biscayne and Floridan aquifers, treated by lime softening, nanofiltration or reverse osmosis, blended and disinfected with chloramine. The water meets standards. A drinking water system is about the taste you prefer, reducing the disinfectant, and certified reduction of specific substances you may care about.
Four options compared
| Option | Main strengths | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Under-sink alkaline RO | Dedicated faucet; membrane reduces a wide range of dissolved substances; minerals added back for taste | Needs cabinet space, a drain connection and scheduled filter changes |
| Pitcher filter | Inexpensive, no install | Small volume; many are rated for chlorine, not chloramine; frequent cartridges |
| Refrigerator filter | Convenient cold water and ice | Limited contact time; check what the model is actually certified for |
| Whole-home system | Chloramine reduced at every tap and shower | Not a substitute for RO at the kitchen faucet |
How to choose
- Main complaint is taste: RO or a chloramine-rated carbon filter.
- You want certified reduction of a specific contaminant such as lead, fluoride or PFOA/PFOS: find a model certified for that claim (NSF/ANSI 53 or 58) and check its listing.
- You live in a condo or rent: under-sink RO, with permission.
- The shower bothers you too: whole-home plus RO.
Why alkaline RO
Reverse osmosis removes most minerals along with everything else. Living Water's alkaline RO systems add a remineralization stage after the membrane, mainly for taste, so the water does not taste flat. Compare in alkaline vs. standard RO.
Bottled water and jugs
Some North Miami Beach households still buy bottled water or have jugs delivered. That works, but it means storage, carrying and plastic. If you are weighing it against an under-sink system, count how many gallons your household actually uses each week for drinking, coffee and cooking, then compare with the RO filter schedule using our bottled water vs. RO calculator.
Keep it working
Every option depends on filter changes. A cartridge past its rated capacity stops meeting its claims, and a carbon cartridge left too long can shed fine particles, something NMB Water's own website mentions when explaining black specks. Put the replacement dates on your calendar.
Book
Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974. Jorge tests your tap, explains your options in plain words, and gives an itemized quote only if you want one. See under-sink RO in North Miami Beach.
https://www.citynmb.com/DocumentCenter/View/14691/2025-CCR-ENGLISH-web-version
https://www.citynmb.com/913/Black-Particles
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist