Why chloramine reaches the island
Chloramine lasts longer in pipes than free chlorine, which helps on a long distribution system like the one that carries water from the mainland plant across the Lake Worth Lagoon to Palm Beach and South Palm Beach. That stability is also why it is harder to remove at home.
The summer switch
The city switches to free chlorine for 21 days every summer, a step it describes as required, and warns that residents may notice a chlorine odor. It advises people who keep fish or use home dialysis to get professional guidance on removing chlorine during that period. Dates are announced on the city's Annual Required Disinfection Process page.
Why plain carbon may struggle
- Chloramine reacts slowly with ordinary carbon.
- It needs more contact time than small, fast-flowing cartridges provide.
- At around 3 ppm, small filters can be used up faster than their label suggests.
A shower filter or pitcher that worked well in a city using free chlorine can seem to stop working on the island. It may still catch chlorine taste in summer, then let chloramine through the rest of the year.
What to look for
- Catalytic carbon or media designed for chloramine.
- A chloramine reduction claim on the exact model's NSF/ANSI 42 listing; chlorine-only claims do not cover it.
- Sizing to your home's peak flow, which matters in large homes with many bathrooms.
Living Water describes its Puronics Clarius iGen and Goodspring whole-home systems as removing chloramine and chlorine.
Pools, ponds and aquariums
Koi ponds, fountains with fish and aquariums need chloramine removed from any city water added to them, all year and especially during the summer switch. Pet and pond suppliers carry conditioners for that; a household filter is not a substitute unless it is designed and sized for that use.
Whole-home or kitchen
Whole-home covers showers and laundry; under-sink RO covers drinking water. See the chloramine filter guide.
Measure it
Jorge tests total and free chlorine at your tap. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
https://www.wpb.org/files/assets/city/v/2/public-utilities/documents/water-quality-reports/2025westpalmbeach-webreport.pdf
https://www.wpb.org/Departments/Public-Utilities/Annual-Required-Disinfection-Process
https://www.wpb.org/Departments/Public-Utilities
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist