Equipment that moves the price
- Tank or tankless. See tankless vs. tank RO.
- Number of stages and what each does.
- Alkaline stage that adds minerals back.
- Faucet style.
- Certification listed for the exact model under NSF/ANSI 58.
Kitchen factors
| Factor | Effect on the job |
|---|---|
| Stone countertop without a spare hole | May need drilling |
| Crowded cabinet | May favor tankless |
| Fridge or ice maker hookup | Extra tubing and fittings |
| Rental or condo | Owner or association approval |
Ongoing costs
- Pre-filter and carbon replacements. With chloramine around 2.5 ppm in WASD's 2025 main-system data, carbon stages do real work.
- Membrane replacement on a longer cycle.
- Alkaline stage replacement.
- Water sent to the drain while filtering.
See RO maintenance and operating costs and filter replacement costs.
Compare it with what you spend now
If your household buys bottled water every week, total a year of it and compare that with the RO quote plus its replacement schedule. Also count the trips, storage space and recycling. The bottled water vs. RO calculator helps you run the numbers yourself.
Apartment, condo or house
Sweetwater's housing runs from older single-family streets to apartment and condo buildings. In a house, you choose the system freely and can connect the fridge and add whole-home filtration later. In a rental, the owner's approval comes first, and a system that removes cleanly matters. In a condo, check association rules about countertop drilling. None of this changes the water, but it changes the installation, and installation is part of every quote.
One more point: your water's safety is not the reason for RO here; WASD water meets drinking water standards. You are paying for taste, convenience and a dedicated tap. That makes it reasonable to pick the simplest system that gives you water you enjoy, rather than the one with the most stages.
Questions for any installer
- What exact model is this, and where is its certification listing?
- How long are filters rated at our usage?
- Who changes filters, and is that in the quote?
- What happens if we move out of this apartment?
Get the quote
Jorge tests your water, checks the cabinet and gives you an itemized quote. Living Water offers financing through its financing partners; you apply with a credit application, and a co-applicant can apply with you. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist