The options side by side
| Option | Good for | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Under-sink alkaline RO | Drinking and cooking water, dissolved solids, chloramine taste | One faucet; some drain water |
| Pitcher filter | Low cost to start, renters | Small volume; many struggle with chloramine |
| Fridge filter | Convenience | Limited contact time; check certifications |
| Whole-home system | Chloramine at every tap | Not designed to reduce dissolved solids like RO |
What South Miami's water calls for
WASD's 2025 report shows chloramine as the disinfectant (2.5 ppm running annual average), fluoride no longer added since June 6, 2025, and a PFAS table with compliance monitoring underway. For taste and dissolved solids, RO is the strongest at-the-tap option. For any specific contaminant, the model must be certified for it; check the exact listing.
Fluoride: if your family wants less of the natural fluoride that remains, RO is a common method; if you prefer to keep it, a carbon-based system generally leaves it in.
Matching it to your home
- Family house: RO in the kitchen, often paired with whole-home filtration.
- Condo or apartment: under-sink RO with the owner's approval.
- Office near Sunset Drive: an RO system at the break-room sink.
- Well: treat the whole well first, then add RO for drinking water.
Households that cook a lot, make baby formula or fill pets' bowls from the tap tend to get the most use out of a dedicated RO faucet. For formula, follow your pediatrician's guidance on water.
Questions to ask
- Which certifications does this model have, for which contaminants?
- How often do filters change?
- How much water goes to the drain?
See whole-house vs. under-sink filters and carbon vs. RO.
Cost and upkeep at a glance
Pitchers and fridge filters are cheap to start but need frequent cartridges. RO has an installation cost and a filter schedule but produces more water per day at a dedicated faucet. Whole-home systems cost the most up front and treat everything. Jorge gives you an itemized quote after the free test; see RO cost in South Miami.
Common mistakes
- Buying a pitcher for chloramine without checking its certification.
- Assuming a fridge filter treats the whole kitchen.
- Installing whole-home filtration and expecting RO-level drinking water.
- Skipping filter changes, which quietly undoes the benefit of any system.
A short conversation after a test usually avoids all four.
Start with a test
Jorge tests your tap, explains the results and recommends what fits. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist