Chlorine & Chloramine Water Filter in Surfside

Where the chloramine comes from

WASD describes chlorine as its primary disinfectant, then adds ammonia to form chloramine as a secondary disinfectant that protects water in the distribution system. The Town of Surfside does not treat the water; it buys it and distributes it, and performs monthly distribution testing required by the Florida Department of Health. So the chloramine at your tap is WASD's, carried through the Town's pipes and your building's plumbing.

Chloramine is used by many large U.S. utilities for the same reason: it lasts longer in the pipes and tends to form fewer disinfection byproducts than free chlorine. WASD's 2025 main system results list total trihalomethanes at 50 ppb against a limit of 80.

Free chlorine weeks

Every year WASD switches its regional plants to free chlorine for about two weeks, a practice it says it has followed since 1983. In 2025 the switch ran October 13 to 26. Expect a stronger chlorine taste or smell, and possibly brief cloudy water while lines are flushed; WASD advises running the tap three to five minutes until clear. Dialysis patients should contact their doctor, and aquarium owners should ask an aquarium professional.

Why plain carbon may not be enough

• Chloramine reacts more slowly with ordinary activated carbon than free chlorine does.
• Slow reaction means longer contact time; small, fast cartridges let more through.
• Capacity can be used up sooner than the label suggests.

What to look for

• Catalytic carbon or other media designed for chloramine.
• Chloramine reduction on the exact model's NSF/ANSI 42 listing. A chlorine taste and odor claim alone does not cover chloramine.
• Correct sizing to your peak flow for whole-home systems.
• A clear replacement schedule in gallons or months.

Living Water describes its Puronics Clarius iGen and Goodspring whole-home systems as removing chloramine and chlorine. Read the chloramine filter guide.

House or condo

In a house, a whole-home system reduces chloramine at every tap; plumb sprinklers to bypass it. In a condo unit, use an under-sink RO with chloramine-suited carbon for drinking water and a shower filter whose listing includes chloramine for the bathroom.

Chloramine and specific uses

• Aquariums: chloramine must be neutralized before tap water goes into a fish tank.
• Coffee and tea: often where people notice the biggest taste change after filtering.
• Ice: fridge ice made from filtered water avoids the chlorine note.
• Dialysis: WASD advises dialysis patients to consult their doctor about the yearly switch.

Measure it

Jorge tests total and free chlorine at your tap, explains what the numbers mean for filter choice, and gives you options. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.

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