What is in your shower water
Seacoast's 2025 report lists chloramines at 3.7 ppm, consistently close to the 4 ppm maximum, as a disinfectant to control microbes in the pipes. Hot water can make its smell more noticeable. Hardness, the usual suspect elsewhere in South Florida, is lower here because of Seacoast's membrane treatment.
Seasonal residents often notice a change on arrival, when climate, sun and indoor air all shift at once. Water is one factor among several.
Other factors
- Sun, salt water and boating.
- Pool water.
- Hot, long showers and air conditioning.
- Soaps and products.
A filter only addresses the tap water part.
Boating and fishing days add sun and salt exposure that no water filter can address.
Options by home type
- House: a whole-home filter rated for chloramine treats every shower, with enough media for real contact time.
- Townhome: whole-home with your own line and association approval.
- Condo or apartment: shower-head filters; check that the claim covers chloramine, not only chlorine.
Whole-home systems avoid the contact-time problem because their larger media beds treat water before it reaches any shower.
Ask how often the media is replaced at Seacoast's chloramine level.
Why shower filters vary
Water passes through a shower filter at full flow, so contact time is short. Many are designed for free chlorine, which reacts quickly; chloramine is slower. If chloramine reduction is your goal, look for that specific claim and replace cartridges on schedule. Write the install date on the housing.
Vitamin C and other cartridge types make different claims; read what each is certified for.
What testing shows
Jorge measures chloramine and hardness at your shower and kitchen taps and shows you the readings. If a filter is unlikely to make a difference at your numbers, he will tell you.
If chloramine is clearly present and you notice it, a filter is worth considering; if readings are low, spend the money elsewhere.
He compares shower and kitchen readings so you see whether anything changes inside your home.
For skin conditions
We do not make medical claims. A dermatologist is the right person for persistent itching, rashes or skin conditions. For the water side, call, text or WhatsApp Jorge at (305) 793-5974.
He also notes your water heater setting, since very hot water can make showers feel harsher regardless of what is in the water.
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist