Water Submetering for Multifamily

Bill residents for the water they actually use

Water submetering lets you bill each resident for the water they actually use instead of absorbing the cost or splitting it by formula. UMS has designed, installed, read, and billed water submetering systems for more than 20 years, across more than 100,000 units in all 48 contiguous states. We handle the meters, the wireless reading network, and the monthly resident bills, so you get one partner and one invoice.

We support every common plumbing layout. Full Capture meters work when each unit has a single point of water entry. Point of Use meters handle stacked-riser buildings with multiple entry points per unit. Commercial meters cover retail, laundry, and high-volume users. If you are not sure which applies to your building, send us a floor plan or a photo of a typical unit’s plumbing and we will tell you. We also design and install gas and electric submetering systems.

• We offer a variety of solutions using 3/4″ hot or cold meters. If each unit has its own hot water heater, you can use a single cold-water meter to capture all the water entering the unit. If you have a central boiler system, you will need one hot-water meter and one cold-water meter to capture all the water entering the unit. However your building is designed, we offer an accurate and efficient way to meter consumption. All our submetering systems are robust and remotely read. Click here to view our 3/4″ water meter.

• Multiple Point of Water Entry Developed specifically for “stacked riser” plumbing configurations, the MLX Point of Use (POU) solution consists of two primary components: the i-meter™ and the Meter Interface Card (MIC). The i-meter™ is installed at each point of use for each appliance in a multi-family unit to reliably and accurately measure water consumption. The system is fully compatible with all wireless meter reading systems. Click here to view our recommended point of use water meter.

• Our commercial water meters are available in 1-inch, 1.5-inch, and 2-inch sizes and are fully compatible with all wireless meter reading systems. They allow retail or mixed-use properties the ability to accurately and reliably measure water consumption for commercial spaces. Click here to view our commercial water meter.

We service all major types of submeters and submeter equipment. Our ability to monitor, repair, or replace equipment is unmatched and one of the top reasons why properties switch to UMS billing. In most situations, our metering department can work remotely with the property manager or maintenance personnel to diagnose, repair, or replace any faulty equipment. We monitor the health of your submetering system and bring meter issues to your attention so that you, and your residents, can have confidence in a fully operation submetering system. No drawn-out, unresolved repair tickets. You work directly with our knowledgeable and responsive metering department for a quick resolution. 

Because we read every meter every day, we also spot the leaks that quietly drain a property’s water budget. According to the EPA, a running toilet can waste about 200 gallons of water a day; our system flags it before it shows up on the master bill.

How a water submetering installation works

Retrofitting an existing building. Most retrofits take between one day and one week depending on the number of units and the plumbing. Our technicians need access to each unit, and in most buildings we shut off water briefly while installing at each location. If the unit’s shutoff valve sits upstream of the meter location, we can usually work without interrupting service. We coordinate notices and access windows with your on-site team so residents know what to expect.

New construction and major renovation. We work directly with your general contractor and plumbing sub. Depending on the project, either the plumber installs meters we supply, or one of our technicians installs them at the right point in the schedule. Involving us during design saves money: meter locations, riser layouts, and the wireless read infrastructure are far cheaper to get right on paper than after drywall. See our Colorado HB26-1013 update for one example of why more developers are designing submetering in from day one.

After installation. Meters transmit reads wirelessly to a gateway on site. No one has to walk the building. We monitor the network, flag meters that stop reporting, and repair or replace equipment as part of ongoing service.

Water submetering vs. RUBS

Submetering bills each resident for measured use. A Ratio Utility Billing System (RUBS) divides the master bill by a formula such as square footage or occupancy. Submetering is more accurate and typically drives greater conservation, since residents see the direct effect of their own use. RUBS costs nothing to install and works where meters are impractical. Some states and cities now require submetering or direct metering for new construction, and several restrict how RUBS can be used. We run both programs and will recommend the right one for each property. Read more in What is a Ratio Utility Billing System?

Where we work and what it costs

UMS serves multifamily properties in all 48 contiguous states from our headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. See our Twin Cities utility billing and submetering page for Minnesota-specific rules. Pricing depends on unit count, plumbing configuration, and whether the install is a retrofit or new construction, so we quote each property individually. Send us the basics and we will return a quote quickly, with no obligation.

Why owners choose UMS for water submetering

• More than 20 years installing and servicing submeters in multifamily buildings
• More than 100,000 units under management
• We install, read, bill, and service. No hand-offs between vendors.
• Fully wireless reads, daily leak detection, and a 100% US-based resident call center

“I have enjoyed working with UMS for over 10 years. I have implemented RUBS programs and individually metered programs in multifamily units in the Twin Cities metro area and in the Dallas metroplex. Their sales and account support team are very responsive, and their website makes reporting and high level (C-Suite) monitoring of a large portfolio an easy task.”
— Angie French, Vice President, Mid Continent Management Corp

Frequently asked questions

How long does a water submetering retrofit take?
One day to one week for most buildings, depending on unit count and plumbing complexity.

Do residents need to be home?
No. We coordinate access with your on-site team the same way you would for any maintenance visit, and we provide notice templates.

Will water be shut off?
Usually briefly, at each unit, while the meter is installed. If the unit shutoff is upstream of the meter location, service is often uninterrupted.

Does submetering work with hot and cold water?
Yes. Configuration depends on where water heating happens. We will specify the right meter set for your building.

Can you submeter a building under construction?
Yes, and it is the least expensive time to do it. We work with your GC and plumber during design and rough-in.

Which states require submetering?
Requirements vary and are changing. Colorado will require direct metering or submetering for residential projects permitted on or after July 1, 2027, and other states regulate RUBS. We track these rules for the states where our clients operate.

From meter to resident bill

Once meters are live, we take over billing. Each month we pull the reads, apply your local utility’s rates, and issue resident invoices by mail or through the resident portal. You choose whether UMS collects payments directly or the charges post to the resident ledger in your property management software. For mixed-use properties we can bill retail tenants for metered usage and allocate the remainder to the residential units. Details are on our Resident Billing page, or contact us to get a water submetering quote.

Planning new construction? Some states now require unit-level metering. Colorado, for example, will require direct metering or submetering for residential projects permitted on or after July 1, 2027. See our Colorado HB26-1013 update and our guide to planning utility billing for new construction.