national multiple family submetering and allocation billing program ...

investigated local water savings associated with separate billing systems, such as the City of
Austin, Las Vegas Valley Water District, San Antonio Water System, and Seattle Public
Utilities, study funding partners agreed that much more empirical data were needed on this
subject.
The study had five main objectives: 1) to determine the water savings potential in the
multi-family sector resulting from both direct metering and allocation programs, 2) to understand
the current regulatory framework governing separate billing programs across the U.S., 3) to
access the current business practices in the billing service companies (read and bill industry), 4)
to draw conclusions from the findings, and 5) to make recommendations that offer consumer
protection, provide ethical business practices for the industry, and capture cost-effective water
savings.
This report reflects the results of an effort that began over three years ago in cooperation
with the EPA, two national apartment associations, and 10 water utilities. It is hoped that the
information presented in this report will be found timely, useful, and objective; will add to the
current body of knowledge; and that the appropriate organizations, including water utilities, will
consider adopting and implementing the study’s recommendations.
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