How To Install a Smart Water Submeter: Step-by-step Guide

Knowing how to install a water submeter is essential for submetering companies that manage properties on behalf of owners and need to meet local requirements. A smart water submeter not only measures flow and volume but also delivers precise readings, detects leaks early, and supports accurate, transparent billing.

Modern ultrasonic water submeter installation enables automated, remote data collection for simplified meter readings, provides detailed consumption data for analysis, and can help reduce operating costs over time. In some areas, installing a water submeter is required to comply with regulations or conservation programs. In other regions, it remains the best practice for achieving fair, accurate, and transparent billing based on actual usage.

When do you need to install a water submeter?

There are several situations where water submeter installation becomes necessary or highly beneficial ranging from meeting local requirements to upgrading outdated infrastructure. While many properties already have meters in place, these may be inaccurate, outdated, or insufficient for today’s needs. Some properties have no metering at all, requiring installation from scratch.

Common reasons for installing a water meter include:

• New home builds or major renovations: Many local building codes require a water submeter for new construction or significant renovations either at the whole-building level or for each unit. Even where not legally required, installing a meter during construction is often the most cost-effective time to do it.
• Submetering: Increasingly, states and municipalities encourage or require submetering in multifamily and shared buildings so each unit is billed based on its actual usage. This promotes fairness, improves conservation, and enables more accurate billing.
• Upgrading from analog to smart meters: Older mechanical meters can lose accuracy over time, require frequent maintenance, and lack features like leak detection. Replacing them with smart ultrasonic water meters improves accuracy, reduces maintenance costs, and provides advanced data capabilities.
• Infrastructure upgrades: When upgrading plumbing systems or installing integrated utility monitoring platforms, new compatible water meters are often required to support futureproof operations.

Tools & materials you’ll need for installation

Before attempting residential water submeter installation, you should make sure you have all of the right tools and materials for the job. The specific tools and materials necessary will differ depending on the brand and model of the smart water meter. These materials should be sufficient for the Axioma Ultrasonic Water Meter:

• The water meter: This is the most essential component, whether you’re using an Axioma Ultrasonic Water Meter or any other meter.
• Pipe wrench: A pipe wrench of the appropriate size is necessary to properly install a water meter. 
• Gaskets: Two new gaskets are essential for creating a seal between two surfaces to prevent water leaks from the pipe. 

Other tools and materials that can be helpful for installing Axioma Metering water meters can be found in the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MD-EU-suqQ

Where to install a water submeter

For submetering setups, a meter should be installed in an accessible location close to where the water supply enters the unit or building. In multifamily buildings, submeters for individual units are typically installed indoors. In contrast, municipal water meters for single-family homes are almost always installed outdoors – typically in a meter box at the curb or sidewalk and their location and installation are handled entirely by the water utility.

Water submeter installation

In private or submetering systems, installation is usually handled by a licensed plumber or professional installer to ensure accuracy and compliance. While the exact process can vary depending on the meter model, the general steps include:

1. Shut off the water supply: Ensure no water is running and drain the pipes to prevent leaks.
2. Locate the installation point: Choose a spot that allows easy access for maintenance and reading.
3. Install gaskets and fittings: Attach the necessary components to connect the meter securely.
4. Align to water flow direction: Position the meter so the arrow matches the direction of flow.
5. Confirm correct orientation: Some meters require horizontal or vertical positioning; the Axioma Ultrasonic Smart Water Meter can be installed in any orientation.
6. Prevent air pockets: Install the meter at a point that ensures the pipe remains full of water during operation.
7. Secure the meter: Tighten all connections to create a watertight seal.

Following these steps helps ensure the meter operates accurately from day one and remains reliable over its service life.

Mainlink’s smart water submeter setup

Users of Mainlink’s water metering solution get the Axilink Lite mobile app, which is an essential tool for water meter. The Axilink Lite app allows you to check whether the meter is active, connected to the network, and transmitting data to the data management platform (if applicable) – all with a simple scan. The Axilink Lite mobile app is simple and easy to use, and works only with Axioma Metering water meters and Mainhive software. 

Getting the app ready for setup is easy! All you need to do is:

1. Download the mobile app: The app is available from Google Play or the Apple App Store and is compatible with Android and iOS operating systems.
2. Open the app: Once the meter is installed and the network deployment is ready, open the app.
3. Scan the meter: The app will use NFC technology to scan the meter using a single button click. The app will read the data and determine whether your installation was successful or if there were any problems.
4. Check the light: The Axilink Lite app uses an easy green or yellow light system to indicate success or failure. A green light means the installation and setup was successful. A yellow light points to a failure in some specific area, e.g. radio and network connectivity issues, or a connection loss to the Mainlink cloud platform.

The Axilink Lite app gives you the confidence to know whether your installation was successful. It works offline and is platform-independent. Its intuitive, user-friendly design makes it suitable for all levels of expertise.

Compliance with local regulations

Ensuring smart water meter compliance is essential to avoid penalties and maintain uninterrupted service. In the U.S., regulations can apply at multiple levels national, state, regional, and local and may also include specific building code requirements. For example, some states, such as California, require water meters to be easily accessible for readings, whether through a physical device, an in-home display, or a mobile app. Other rules may set tolerances for meter calibration, mandate reporting formats, or define data security standards.

Water meter regulations in the USA vary significantly by location. Most jurisdictions require meters to deliver accurate, reliable measurements, while others add requirements for cybersecurity, data privacy, and remote reading capabilities. When choosing a smart water meter, confirm that it meets all applicable standards. Reputable providers should verify compliance at the national and state level, and local municipalities can advise on community-specific rules.

Who Should Install a Water Submeter?

Water meter installation is not always a do-it-yourself task. In many cases, installation should be handled by a qualified professional to ensure accuracy, compliance, and long-term reliability.

Situations where professional installation is recommended or required include:

• Regulatory requirements: Some states, municipalities, or utilities mandate that only certified technicians install or replace meters. This ensures the work meets all applicable codes and utility standards.

• Complex systems: Large, multi-unit, or commercial properties often have intricate plumbing layouts that require specialized tools and expertise to integrate a meter safely and correctly.

• Meter replacement: Removing older meters can involve corroded fittings, confined spaces, or fragile pipes. A professional can deinstall the unit without damaging the system and dispose of it according to local regulations.

• Safety considerations: Incorrect handling of valves and pressurized lines can cause injury or water system damage – risks that trained installers are equipped to avoid.

For most property owners, working with an experienced installer often arranged through the water utility or a licensed contractor ensures the job is completed to the correct standard and that the meter operates accurately from day one.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need permission to install a water meter?

Whether you need permission depends on your situation. Factors include who owns your property, who manages the building, and who is responsible for the existing meters. In some cases, you can arrange installation directly, while in others you may need approval from a landlord, homeowners’ association, or utility provider.

How much does a water submeter installation cost?

Costs for water meter installation varies massively depending on factors like the size of the meter, region, and complexity of the installation and whether you need a new water connection. Due to regulations, local conditions, and choices by submetering companies, prices differ by state. For example,  in California, Axioma Metering ultrasonic smart water meter could cost around $75 per unit. In a typical 400-unit apartment building in CA, installing our Mainlink and Axioma Metering system and meters can cost around $30,400 compared with a traditional setup that can cost around $54,400.

Will installing a water meter lower my water bills?

Installing a water meter does not guarantee lower bills. Savings may occur if your previous meter was inaccurate or if more precise readings encourage reduced water usage. In some cases, providers offer discounted tariffs to smart meter users, but these benefits depend on individual circumstances and local policies.

How long does the installation take?

Installation time depends on the size and complexity of the property. Some can be completed within 30 minutes, while others may take longer.

Are there any disadvantages of installing water submeters?

Some users may face higher costs if their previous flat-rate billing underestimated actual usage. Bills will also vary from month to month based on consumption, making them less predictable than fixed charges.

Will maintenance be required after installing a water submeter?

In most cases, installing an ultrasonic water meter greatly reduces maintenance needs. Mainlink’s Axioma ultrasonic model has no moving parts, ensuring long-term accuracy and reliability without the need for ongoing servicing after installation.