Reverse osmosis at the plant and at your sink
Part of North Miami Beach's water already goes through reverse osmosis. NMB Water's 2025 report says brackish Floridan Aquifer water is treated by RO at the Norwood plant, then blended with lime-softened and nanofiltered Biscayne Aquifer water and disinfected with chloramine. So why add RO at home?
- The water picks up a chloramine residual after treatment, on purpose, to stay protected in the pipes.
- Blending means your tap water is not pure RO water.
- Water travels through miles of mains and through your own plumbing before it reaches the glass.
A kitchen RO system finishes the job at the point where you drink.
How a multi-stage alkaline unit works
- Sediment pre-filter catches particles.
- Carbon stages reduce chlorine and chloramine, which also protects the membrane.
- RO membrane separates out most dissolved solids.
- Storage or direct flow to a dedicated faucet.
- Remineralization stage adds minerals back for taste in Living Water's alkaline models.
Compare designs in alkaline vs. standard RO and tankless vs. tank.
Condos, apartments and older houses
North Miami Beach has a mix of single-family homes, garden apartments and condo buildings. An under-sink system suits all of them: it connects to the cold line under the sink, uses a small drain connection, and needs space in the cabinet for the unit. Renters should get the owner's permission. In older homes, Jorge checks the shutoff valve and drain line condition before installing anything.
Certifications and what to ask
- Reverse osmosis drinking water systems are certified under NSF/ANSI 58.
- Each reduction claim, such as fluoride, lead or PFOA/PFOS, is listed separately. Check the exact model in the certifier's online listing.
- Ask how often each filter stage and the membrane are replaced, and how the system is serviced.
For running costs, see RO maintenance and operating costs.
RO or a whole-home system?
RO covers one faucet. A whole-home system covers every tap and shower for chloramine but does not do what a membrane does for drinking water. Many North Miami Beach households start with RO in the kitchen and add whole-home later if the shower smell bothers them. See the best drinking water system for a North Miami Beach home.
Book
Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974. Jorge tests the tap water, explains what an RO system would and would not change for your household, and gives an itemized quote only if you want one.
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist