Why RO at the sink when the county already treats the water
WASD softens, filters and disinfects Biscayne Aquifer water at its plants, and Opa-locka reports that the water meets all federal and state requirements. Between the plant and your glass, though, the water carries a chloramine residual on purpose, travels through county mains and the city's distribution system, and then through your home's plumbing. An RO unit treats the water at the very last step, at the faucet you drink from. Many families use that water for coffee, rice, soups, the pets' bowls and ice trays, which is where taste matters most to them.
Inside a multi-stage alkaline unit
- Sediment filter for particles.
- Carbon stages for chlorine and chloramine, which also protect the membrane.
- RO membrane to separate out most dissolved solids.
- Storage tank or direct flow to a dedicated faucet.
- Remineralization in Living Water's alkaline models, so the water does not taste flat.
Compare designs in tankless vs. tank RO and alkaline vs. standard RO.
What it can and cannot do
| Can help with | Does not cover |
|---|---|
| Chloramine taste and odor at the kitchen tap | Showers and other faucets |
| Broad reduction of dissolved solids | Rust forming in pipes elsewhere in the house |
| Specific contaminants, if the exact model is certified for them | Claims the model is not certified for |
Reverse osmosis systems are certified under NSF/ANSI 58, and each reduction claim, such as lead, fluoride or PFOA/PFOS, is listed separately. Look up the exact model.
Renters, apartments and small offices
A lot of Opa-locka households rent. An under-sink system is the most practical upgrade for a rental because it connects to the cold line under the sink and a small drain fitting, and it can be removed when you move, with the owner's permission. In a small office or shop break room, the same unit serves staff without bottled water deliveries.
Upkeep
Pre-filters, carbon stages and the membrane are replaced on a schedule that depends on your water and how much you use. On Miami-Dade water, keeping the carbon stages current matters because they protect the membrane from chloramine. Ask for the schedule in writing and see RO operating costs.
Book
Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974. Jorge tests your tap water, explains what RO would change for your household, and gives an itemized quote only if you ask for one. See also the best drinking water system for an Opa-locka home.
https://www.miamidade.gov/water/library/reports/water-quality-2024.pdf
https://www.opalockafl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5199/2024-Water-Quality-Report
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist