Four options compared
- Pitcher: no install, small batches, frequent cartridge changes. Many are rated for chlorine, not chloramine.
- Fridge filter: convenient cold water; low flow and small capacity. Check the model's listing.
- Under-sink alkaline RO: multi-stage filtration with its own faucet; best for households that drink and cook with a lot of water. See under-sink RO.
- Whole-home system: chloramine removal at every tap and shower; often paired with RO. See whole-home filtration.
Countertop units that connect to the faucet are another renter-friendly option; check their certifications the same way.
What Pembroke Pines water asks of a filter
The city's 2025 report describes Biscayne Aquifer water that is softened, filtered and disinfected with chloramine, at a 2.8 parts per million annual average. Fluoride is no longer added since July 1, 2025. So a drinking water filter here mainly needs to handle chloramine taste and odor, plus anything specific you care about, such as PFAS or natural fluoride.
Pick by household
| Household | Common fit |
|---|---|
| Couple in a condo or Century Village apartment | Under-sink RO or a good pitcher |
| Family of four or more | Under-sink RO, often with whole-home filtration |
| Renters | Pitcher or countertop unit; RO with landlord approval |
| Office or gym | Dedicated RO tap |
Questions before buying
- Which NSF/ANSI standard is the exact model certified under, and for what?
- Is chloramine listed, not just chlorine?
- What do replacements cost, and how often?
- Who installs and services it?
A good installer will answer each of these in writing as part of the quote.
Bottled water vs. a system
Lots of Pembroke Pines households still buy cases or jugs of water every week. That adds up in money, storage space and trips to the store. A dedicated RO tap ends the hauling, and the comparison with filter replacement costs is easy to run with the bottled water vs. RO calculator. Remember to count ice, coffee and cooking water, not only what you drink from a glass.
Start with your tap
Jorge tests free and explains results in plain words. If a pitcher is all you need, he will tell you. If a system fits, you get an itemized quote, and financing is available through Living Water's financing partners. See RO cost drivers.
https://www.ppines.com/DocumentCenter/View/27008/2025-Annual-Drinking-Water-Report---English
https://www.ppines.com/1754/City-Compliance-with-State-Fluoride-Ban-
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist