How Do Apartments Monitor Water Usage By Each Unit?

Monitoring water usage in apartments is important for several reasons, including sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and tenant satisfaction. While traditional methods of water monitoring, such as manual meter readings, have been used in the past, they often lead to errors and delays. Nowadays, technological advancements have made it easier to monitor water usage, with smart water meters and submetering solutions providing real-time data on water consumption and helping to detect leaks promptly. These innovations not only help property managers and landlords keep track of water usage but also empower tenants to make informed choices and conserve water.

Technological advancements in water monitoring

Technological advancements have transformed the way we monitor water usage and consumption patterns. Here are some key innovations in this field:

Smart Water Meters: These devices use advanced sensors and communication technology to provide real-time data on total water consumption. They enable users and utilities to detect leaks promptly and monitor usage patterns.

Smart Infrastructure: Smart infrastructure solutions, such as smart pipes and valves, are fully automated systems that can regulate and control water flow based on demand. These systems can be operated remotely to optimize water distribution efficiently.

Internet of Things (IoT) Technology: IoT devices are placed at strategic points in plumbing systems to monitor water flow and identify water-related issues. These devices often connect to a centralized system via Wi-Fi or other communication protocols, enabling remote management.

DrizzleX: DrizzleX is a system that detects hidden leaks, such as running toilets and leaky faucets, helping to prevent water wastage. It also alerts users to excessive water overuse and provides detailed data on water consumption habits.

Email Notifications: DrizzleX, and similar systems, can send email notifications when a leak is detected. These messages include details such as the exact location of the leak, the amount of water lost, the potential cost, and suggestions for fixing the issue.

Water-Monitoring Devices: Various water-monitoring devices are now available, offering constant monitoring and real-time notifications about water usage. These devices empower users to take immediate action and make informed decisions.

Biosensors: There has been a shift towards sensors that can rapidly and reliably detect harmful microorganisms such as legionella, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and E. coli. This advancement is particularly valuable for ensuring the safety of drinking water.

Optical Sensors: The development of solid-state electronics and high-powered light sources, such as LEDs and laser diodes, has led to advancements in optical sensor technology. Optical sensors operate without the need for chemicals and use components that are less prone to fouling, making them environmentally friendly.

Miniaturized Sensors: Miniature sensors are now being used to monitor water quality parameters such as color, sum organics (COD, TOC, DOC), and turbidity. These sensors can be placed in drinking water distribution networks and natural water bodies like ponds and streams.

Robotic Fish: Robotic fish equipped with tiny chemical sensors are being deployed to locate sources of potential water pollution, such as leaking underwater pipelines. This technology helps identify and address hazardous situations promptly.

Benefits of submetering

Water submetering, also known as utility submetering, is the installation of water meters to measure and bill each unit's water usage. This means that each unit pays for the water they consume every month.

Fair and Accurate Tenant Billing

Mechanical water meters ensure that tenants pay only for the water they use. This is a fairer system than cost-sharing, where tenants pay for their neighbour's water usage.

Tenants Are Incentivised to Reduce Water Usage

When tenants are responsible for their own water bill, they are more likely to be mindful of their consumption and make better choices. This can lead to reduced utility costs for property managers and owners.

Reduce Operating Costs

Water submetering can help property managers and owners reduce utility loss by identifying where resources are being used. This awareness can lead to more efficient use of resources and reduced costs.

Faster Leak Detection

Water submetering provides real-time data on water consumption, allowing property managers and owners to quickly identify leaks or spikes in water usage. This can help mitigate water damage and reduce costs associated with repairs.

Increased Property Value and Long-Term ROI

While submetering requires an upfront investment, the savings generated through reduced water usage and accurate billing can quickly offset this cost. Submeters typically have a lifecycle of at least 10 years, providing added ROI over time.

Environmental Benefits

Water submetering promotes sustainability and reduces a property's environmental footprint. This is beneficial for both property owners and tenants who are concerned about their carbon footprint.

Manual vs. smart water meters

Water meters are devices that measure water usage to facilitate water management and billing. Traditionally, water meters have been manual, requiring a person to read the meter and record the data. However, smart water meters are now available, which provide real-time data on water consumption through advanced sensors and communication technology.

Manual water meters have several limitations. Firstly, they are time-consuming and cumbersome to read, often requiring someone to go to each individual meter and record the reading. This can be especially challenging if the meters are located in hard-to-reach places, such as in basements or closets. Additionally, manual meters do not provide real-time data, so it is difficult to detect leaks or spikes in consumption promptly. This can result in high water bills and the need for expensive plumbing repairs. Furthermore, manual meters cannot pinpoint individual tenant over-users in multi-family properties, leading to unfair billing where all tenants pay equal shares regardless of their actual water usage.

Smart water meters, on the other hand, offer several advantages. They provide real-time data on total water consumption, allowing users and utilities to monitor usage patterns and detect leaks promptly. This helps reduce water waste and improve sustainability. Smart water meters are also more accurate than traditional meters, using technologies such as ultrasonic or electromagnetic readings. They eliminate the need for physical checks as readings are digital and in real-time, reducing labour costs. Additionally, smart water meters can be accessed remotely, making it easier to manage water services and respond to issues such as leaks or freezing temperatures.

While smart water meters offer many benefits, there are some considerations to keep in mind. Smart water meters are typically more expensive than manual meters, which may be a barrier for some organisations or individuals. Additionally, it is important to ensure routine maintenance of smart water meters, including checking the batteries to prevent loss of performance.

Overall, smart water meters offer a more efficient, accurate, and sustainable way to monitor water usage compared to manual meters. They provide real-time data, improve leak detection, and reduce labour costs. However, the higher cost and need for routine maintenance may be potential drawbacks for some users.

Reducing water use

Water costs have risen steadily over the past two decades, increasing by 300% in New York City since 2000. As such, landlords and property managers are looking for ways to cut down on their water bills. Water usage is one of the biggest expenses for landlords of multi-unit buildings, and it can be challenging to monitor usage and reduce costs without upsetting tenants.

Survey for Leaks and Track Water Waste

Before installing any new fixtures, it's important to identify how much water your tenants are using and where potential leaks or sources of water waste may be. Work with water-saving experts to inspect for leaks and inefficient toilets, washing machines, and silent faucet drips. This will give you a benchmark to measure the success of your water-saving efforts.

Address Sources of Water Waste

Once you've identified areas of water waste, take action to address them. Fix leaks and monitor regularly to prevent emergencies like leaking ceilings or flooded bathrooms. Replace old toilets, faucets, or showerheads with more water-efficient models. Old toilet flappers are often the main cause of leaking toilets, and newer models can save up to 13,000 gallons per year.

Install Water-Efficient Fixtures

Low-flow fixtures, including showerheads, faucet aerators, and toilets, can reduce water consumption considerably without sacrificing performance or tenant comfort. Federal regulations mandate that showerheads must not exceed 2.5 gallons per minute, but older models may have flow rates of up to 5.5 gallons per minute.

Educate Residents

Communication is key. Encourage tenants to reduce their water usage by informing them of the benefits of conservation and how it can lead to fewer rent increases. Hang attractive signage in common areas with water-saving tips and information. You can even sponsor a contest and offer a rental discount for finding unique ways to save water.

Encourage Efficient Habits

Promote water-saving habits such as taking showers instead of baths, turning off the water when brushing teeth or shaving, and shortening shower times. These simple changes can make a significant difference in water usage.

Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Equipment

Upgrading to ENERGY STAR®-rated equipment, such as water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances that rely on water, can be an effective way to conserve water and save money in the long term. ENERGY STAR®-rated equipment can reduce water usage by up to 10%.

Regular Maintenance

Schedule regular maintenance evaluations with your maintenance crew or a trusted plumber to identify any unknown leaks or issues with your building's plumbing. Fixing leaky faucets can also make a big difference, as a faucet that drips once per second can waste 44 gallons of water a week.

Monitor Water Usage

Keep a close eye on your water bills to track your progress and identify any "silent leaks" that may be impacting your efforts. Install water meters or use smart water monitoring systems to detect leaks and track usage patterns.

By implementing these strategies, landlords and property managers can reduce water usage, lower costs, and promote sustainable practices in their apartment buildings.

Saving energy

If you're looking to save energy in an apartment, there are a number of ways to do so, whether through your own actions or by adopting new technologies.

Traditional Methods

In the past, landlords and property managers have relied on manual meter readings to monitor water usage in apartments. This often led to errors and delays, and didn't catch leaks or spikes in consumption until after they had already occurred.

Technological Advancements

Thanks to new technology, monitoring water consumption has become a data-driven process. Smart water meters, for example, use advanced sensors and communication technology to provide real-time data on total water consumption, allowing users to monitor usage patterns and detect leaks promptly.

Other innovations include smart infrastructure solutions, such as smart pipes and valves, which are fully automated and can regulate and control water flow based on demand. Internet of Things (IoT) devices can also be placed at key points in plumbing systems to monitor water flow and issues, often connecting to a centralized system via Wi-Fi.

Individual Actions

There are also a number of individual actions you can take to save energy in an apartment:

• Turn down the thermostat while you sleep or when you're not home.
• Weatherstrip your windows to prevent heat loss during winter.
• Draft-proof your outlets to keep out cold air.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs.
• Unplug devices when they're not in use to avoid vampire power.
• Wash your clothes on cold water settings.
• Take shorter showers and install a low-flow showerhead to reduce water usage.
• Don't block air registers and radiators with furniture to allow for proper air circulation.
• Only run the dishwasher when you have a full load and scrape, rather than rinse, dishes beforehand.
• Displace the water in your toilet tank with a water bottle filled with stones or marbles to reduce the amount of water needed per flush.
• Keep your blinds down during hot weather to block out the sun and keep your apartment cool.

Frequently asked questions