national multiple family submetering and allocation billing program ...

also be based on the submetered water use, or
alternatively, based upon an allocation formula.
There are three different types of these totalcapture
submetering systems that can occur:
Single point of entry submetering
Dual point of entry submetering
Point-of-use submetering
Single point of entry submetering
refers to a system where all of the water enters
Figure 1.1 Example of remote registers
for submetering
a multi-family dwelling unit through a single
pipe. This requires that one submeter be installed on the incoming cold water line. This is the
simplest and most common type of submetering. Plumbing systems in new construction can
usually be designed to incorporate this type of submetering if specified.
Dual point of entry submetering refers to a system where water enters a multi-family
dwelling unit through two pipes - one for hot and one for cold water. In this case, two water
meters are installed, one on the hot and one on the cold water line.
Point-of-use submetering refers to a system where small water meters are installed on
the supply line of each water using fixture and appliance in a multi-family dwelling unit. Each
unit may be equipped with between 5 and 20 (or more) water meters. Meter reads are typically
accomplished via radio telemetry to a central computer. This approach can be used when it is
not possible to install submeters through single or dual point of entry – usually in older or highrise
buildings.
By the strict definition, a submetered property receives an overall master meter bill from
the local water utility, and each unit’s consumption is read, billed, and collected by either the
owner or a billing service company. This way, the owner recoups the costs from resident
consumption and only pays for the water used in the common areas. A slight variation on this is
utility-submetering, where each unit’s consumption is measured and billed directly by the local
utility. This is not technically “submetering”, since there is no building master meter, but the
effect of sending an individual bill and consumption report to each unit is the same as
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