From Hollywood's plant to your faucet
Hollywood's report says water from both of its aquifer sources is disinfected with chloramines to maintain water quality throughout the distribution network. Broward County then carries that water through District 3BC to West Park homes. Chloramine lasts longer in the pipes than free chlorine, which is why utilities use it, and why it is still there when you fill a glass.
Why ordinary carbon struggles
- Slower reaction: chloramine is chlorine bound to ammonia.
- Contact time: it needs more time with the media than small cartridges allow.
- Capacity: at around 3 ppm, small filters are used up faster.
What to look for
- Catalytic carbon or media designed for chloramine.
- Chloramine reduction listed in the exact model's NSF/ANSI 42 certification, not just chlorine.
- Sizing for your peak flow.
Living Water describes its Puronics Clarius iGen and Goodspring whole-home systems as removing chloramine and chlorine.
Replace media on schedule. Once carbon is exhausted, chloramine passes through, and you may not notice until the taste returns.
Free chlorination periods
Broward County's Water Services page describes free chlorination as a common practice for systems using combined chlorine (chloramine) disinfection, done to protect the distribution system, and posts notices by district. During those weeks water may taste or smell slightly different. A filter rated for chloramine handles free chlorine too. Aquarium owners should ask a pet store about dechlorination.
Whole-home or kitchen
A whole-home system covers showers and every tap. For drinking water only, an under-sink RO with chloramine-capable carbon is enough. More in the chloramine filter guide.
Reading the county's disinfectant line
Broward County's table lists "Chlorine (ppm)" for each district because chloramine residual is measured as chlorine. For 3BC the 2025 figure is 3.1 ppm, against a maximum residual disinfectant level of 4.0 ppm. Levels vary through the year and across the system, so size a filter for the higher readings, not the average.
Measure it
Jorge tests total and free chlorine at your tap. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
https://www.hollywoodfl.org/DocumentCenter/View/25123/2025WaterQualityReport
https://www.broward.org/waterservices/WaterQualityReport
https://www.broward.org/WaterServices/Pages/Default.aspx
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist