Comfort, not medicine
Living Water does not treat skin conditions or make medical claims. Dryness and itching have many causes: hot showers, soaps, climate, air conditioning, and health conditions. If symptoms persist, a dermatologist is the right person to ask. What we can do is measure the water side of the equation.
Two water factors to check
- Chloramine: WASD's main system averages 2.5 ppm in its 2025 report. Many people notice the smell and feel in hot showers.
- Hardness: Orr lime-treats the water to reduce hardness, but some remains. Hard water reacts with soap and can leave a film on skin and hair.
Jorge measures both at your shower so you know which one, if either, is high enough to matter.
Options by test result
| Test shows | Option to consider |
|---|---|
| Chloramine is the main factor | Whole-home filtration for every shower |
| Hardness high enough to leave residue | A softener |
| Both | A combined setup, sized from the test |
Shower-head filters exist; check what they are certified for, since chloramine needs media designed for it.
Habits many people find helpful
- Shorter, warm rather than hot showers
- Gentle, fragrance-free cleansers
- Moisturizer right after drying
Why a mid-century bathroom can feel different
Older Westchester bathrooms often have original tank water heaters set hot and shower heads crusted with years of mineral deposits. A clogged head sprays harder and narrower, and very hot water dries skin faster on its own. Before buying anything, it is worth cleaning or replacing the shower head and checking the heater's temperature setting; a licensed plumber can help with the heater. Then test, so any equipment you choose addresses a measured factor.
What the WASD report can and cannot tell you
WASD's 2025 Water Quality Report gives the main system's chloramine average and confirms lime treatment at Orr. It does not list a hardness figure for your street, and it says nothing about how water feels. That is why the at-home test matters: Jorge reads what is coming out of your shower today.
Does a softener help hair feel? Softened water lathers more easily and can leave less soap film, which some people prefer. It is a comfort choice, not a treatment.
Book a shower test
Jorge tests hot and cold at the shower during the free visit. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974. Related: chloramine filters in Westchester, hard water spots.
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist