Dry, Itchy Skin After Showering in Sunrise

The two water factors

• Chloramine: the City of Sunrise adds chlorine and ammonia for disinfection. The 2025 reports show annual averages of 3.3 to 3.5 ppm across the service areas, within the standard. Some people simply prefer how water feels without it.
• Hardness: Sunrise softens its water at the plants, but whatever minerals remain can react with soap and leave a film some people notice on skin and hair.

Other things that matter just as much

Long hot showers, harsh soaps and South Florida's air-conditioned indoor air all affect how skin feels. Changing the water will not fix those, and it is fair to try simple changes first: cooler, shorter showers and a gentler soap.

What a test shows

Jorge measures disinfectant and hardness at your shower or nearest tap. If chloramine is at the levels the city reports and hardness is low, a filter is the relevant option. If hardness is higher than expected, a softener stage may be worth discussing. If both are low, the water probably is not the main factor.

A simple two-week check you can do

Before buying anything, it can help to separate the water from everything else:

1. For one week, keep your routine as is and note how your skin and hair feel.
2. The next week, switch to shorter, cooler showers and a fragrance-free soap.
3. If things improve a lot, the water may not be the main factor.
4. If they do not, a water test is the logical next step.

Sunrise residents have one extra clue: the city's yearly switch to free chlorine (April 27 to May 25 in 2026). Some people notice a stronger chlorine smell in the shower during those weeks. If you feel a difference then, note it and mention it during the test. It is a comfort observation, not a diagnosis, but it helps match the right equipment to what you notice. If the water turns out to be a factor, a whole-home system is the option that covers every shower.

Whole-home options

• Whole-home filtration for chloramine at every shower and tap.
• A softener only if hardness is confirmed.
• Shower-head filters are small; check whether the model's listing actually includes chloramine.

When to see a professional

Persistent itching, rashes, eczema or any skin condition should be checked by a dermatologist. A water system is not a treatment for any medical condition, and we will not tell you it is.

Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist