Submetering water without splicing pipes?

Question

A while ago on the podcast (can't remember which episode) I remember one of the guests talking about how they were able to sub meter the water for a multi unit building by using some type of device that can read the water flow by fitting onto the outside of the pipe. Then that device transmits the readings to a billing company, who will bill the tenants for their water usage. Basically, the landlord still pays the water bill to the city, but gets reimbursed by the tenants.

I wonder if someone could shed some light on this idea for me. I've looked at ultrasonic flow readers online, and they're more expensive than having the city install sub meters. My google searches for a service like this are coming up short.

Anybody familiar with this concept, and how is it done?

Much thanks for any help.

Tom V. · Answer

Ok, thanks for clarifying. I thought the list of cities on their website were the only cities they serviced, but I must have been mistaken. Looking at it again, it appears those cities are where they have customers, not their service area limitations. Thanks again, Chris.

Account Closed · Answer

@Tom V.Nope GWP services properties all over the US and it's all done remote over 3G. The wireless 3G meter kits are "DIY" but then GWP handles all the billing services

Account Closed · Answer

Guardian Water & Power provides water submetering and utility billing services for properties of all sizes. From their website, here is an overview of how the service works...1. "PURCHASE" - Guardian ships you a water meter with an affixed radio frequency transmitter for each unit at your property. You also receive a polymer coupling set for each meter and (1) cable box sized, 3G NoWire 1100 central data collector.2. "CONNECT" - Hang up the NoWire 1100 in a secure location on the property such as a utility closet or sprinkler room and plug it into a standard 110v electric outlet. Use our web portal to make sure all your RF transmitters are checking into the NoWire as they are installed.3. "INSTALL" - You or your plumber installs a meter right after each unit’s main water shut off valve. If your units do not have individual shut off valves, the lines will have to first be separated before you implement submetering. It’s important that you understand your property’s plumbing infrastructure before you purchase submeteirng equipment. If your units do not have shut off valves but they do have hot water tanks then hot water capture, cold water allocation submetering is a viable option. 4. "BILL" - Guardian starts sending utility bills to residents based on local utility rates. Bills are supported by our 1-800 resident call center. We provide regulatory assistance to keep your property in compliance with local rules and regulations and guide you on how to introduce submetering to your residents.5. "COLLECT" Each month you receive a statement from Guardian showing all the units on your account along with tenant names, previous and current meter reads, usage and the total amount you should expect to collect from each of your residents. It is up to you to collect utility payments along with rent and then pay the building’s master utility bill to the provider.The meters cost around $500 each and we give you the NoWire data collector for free. The monthly monitoring fee ranges from $5-$15 per unit per month which 99% of our property managers and landlords pass through on each resident's Guardian utility bill.If you have plumbing infrastructure that does not support submetering or the cost of new submeters is not in your budget, you may want to consider a "ratio utility billing system" (RUBS) as a possible alternative. With RUBS, you keep on file with Guardian the number of occupants in each unit and send us your master water/sewer bill as your receive it from the provider each billing cycle. We distribute the total charges back to each apartment unit in the form of a utility bill based on the number of occupants and/or or square footage. There is no charge to the property owner to set up or administer our RUBS service.

Matt M. · Answer

If the units supply lines can be split easily you could install your own meter in addition to the one the city provides. But you or your property manager would have to read the meter. If this was the case just make sure you already have adequate water pressure, and that the meter reads in the same units as the city supply. In my area the payback period is only about 15 months per city installed meter. In another area the payback is 60.

Tom V. · Answer

Account ClosedThanks, Chris! That was the one mentioned in the podcast. Unfortunately they are not available in my city. Seems like my local area might be a bit too "podunk" for a service like that.I wonder if there is a DIY solution that would give similar results.

Jeff B. · Answer

I would think that the service provider is a MAJOR contributor to any such solution.