LoRaWAN Water Meter
Looking for a wireless water meter (also known as a water submetering solution) that’s easy to install, accurate, and future-proof?
Our LoRaWAN-enabled water submeters provide unit-level visibility, real-time leak alerts, and maintenance-free performance – all connected to a powerful cloud-based data management platform.
Used across the U.S. in multifamily buildings, RV parks, and submetering companies, this is the smart choice for anyone seeking affordable, reliable water tracking without manual readings.
What is LoRaWAN Water Submeter?
A LoRaWAN water submeter is a compact, battery-powered meter that tracks individual water usage and transmits data wirelessly using the LoRaWAN protocol.
Unlike traditional meters, it doesn’t require cables, repeaters, or manual reading making it ideal for modern, scalable water management.
Why choose a LoRaWAN Water Submeter?
- Wireless communication: No cabling needed – connects directly to LoRaWAN gateway.
- Remote Data Access: Real-time readings through secure cloud platform.
- Billing Data Accuracy: Tracks actual consumption per unit.
- Leak Detection: Detects abnormal flow, small drips, and pipe bursts.
- Fast Deployment: No disruptions to tenants or construction work.
- 16-Year Battery Life: Long-lasting, maintenance-free operation.
- Built for All Environments: IP68-rated and suitable for outdoor or humid spaces.
Real Use Case in the U.S.
California Multifamily Property – 202 Units
Mainlink’s service provider Meternet installed LoRaWAN ultrasonic submeters in a 202-unit apartment complex, replacing outdated metering systems. The new submeters were seamlessly integrated with the Mainhive data platform, delivering immediate operational and financial benefits.
- Zero disruption to tenants
- Fast installation
- Accurate resident billing
- $49,000 in savings compared to traditional metering solutions
What is LoRaWAN?
All smart meters communicate with the utility’s servers using network communication. Multiple protocols are available, each with advantages and disadvantages. Popular open options include NB-IoT, WM-bus, and LoRaWAN, while Mioty and Sigfox are popular proprietary protocols.
Let’s look at four popular kinds of network specifications used in metering:
LoRaWAN | An extremely low-power, high-range protocol capable of transmission over larger geographical areas, LoRaWAN is robust, offers protection against interference, and can penetrate obstacles, making it suitable for deployment in various urban, suburban, or rural contexts. Its open-source base makes it both affordable and flexible, allowing you to maintain control over your submetering ecosystem and choose from a broad range of products and services. |
NB-IoT | This low-power protocol was designed to connect many devices to an IoT ecosystem. It can efficiently transmit large data packets over long distances, but this ability consumes much more power than other LPWA networks like LoRaWAN. Deployment in rural areas can be more difficult and require additional infrastructure compared with urban settings, and NB-IoT costs more to implement than other LPWA networks such as LoRaWAN. Although an open protocol, it does require a subscription. |
WM-Bus | It is excellent for short-range communication in crowded spaces, focusing on local area applications, but its short range limits wider use. WM-bus is paired with a wired M-Bus backbone for most utility metering applications, making scaling and deploying in retrofit scenarios difficult. Compared with LPWA networks such as LoRaWAN, it has a restricted range and scalability, making it less suitable in many contexts, including large-scale submetering. |
Mioty | Mioty can support many devices but has a low data rate. It’s optimized for massive IoT deployments, but setup costs can be higher than those of something like LoRaWAN, especially if infrastructure is not already present. |
For more detailed insights into the differences between LoRaWAN and other protocols, let’s take a look at and compare specific technical features such as power consumption, data rate, and deployment costs, and other essential factors in an easy-to-read table:
Comparison of LoRaWAN and other communication specifications
Feature / Protocol | LoRaWAN | NB-IoT | WM-Bus | Mioty |
Open or closed | Open | Open, subscription | Open | Proprietary |
Frequency band | ISM 868/915 MHz | Licensed LTE bands (subscription required) | Free ISM (various) | ISM 868/915 MHz |
Typical range | 2 – 15km rural, 1 – 5km urban | 1 – 10km | 0.5 – 2km | Up to 15km |
Data rate | 0.3 to 50 kbps adaptive | 20 to 250 kbps | 2.4 to 100 kbps | 192 bps |
Power consumption | Very low | Low to moderate | Low | Very low |
Security protocol | AES-128 | LTE-grade SIM security | AES-128 optional | AES-128 |
Scalability | Millions of nodes per network | Limited by cell capacity | Limited | High |
Deployment cost | Low | High (subscription fees) | Low | Moderate |
Use case | Smart cities, agriculture, utilities, industrial IoT, asset tracking | Utilities metering, logistics | Utilities metering | Massive low-data IoT |
Advantages | Open standard, low power, long range | Reliable licensed spectrum | Metering focus | Handles millions of nodes |
Limitations | ISM interference | Subscription, higher power use | Lower range | Low data rate |
When considering which protocol to use, LoRaWAN is a standout protocol due to many of its features even compared with proprietary specifications. Very low power consumption paired with long-range communications, low deployment costs, and massive scalability provide LoRaWAN with a unique combination of features making it perfect for modern metering applications. With easy integration into existing systems, an open, flexible protocol, and massive scalability, LoRaWAN is an excellent protocol choice for many applications.
LoRaWAN’s specific features ensure it’s the perfect choice for water metering and submetering. With sufficient data transmission, low power usage, excellent range, scalability, and flexibility, LoRaWAN is an effective solution for residential homes, large properties, large-scale developments, or municipal contexts.
Why Mainlink’s LoRaWAN Submetering Solution?
Modern infrastructure challenges require modern solutions. Mainlink’s LoRaWAN water submetering system offers seamless data integration, remote monitoring, real-time leak detection, long battery life, and reliable wireless communication making it a smart and future-proof choice.
With proven experience in smart water metering, our solutions are flexible and adaptable across residential and commercial applications. Each submeter integrates effortlessly with our Mainhive data management platform, providing clear analytics, simplified monitoring, and centralized data access.
Mainlink operates globally, with deployments across the U.S., including states with strict metering regulations such as California and Texas. Our solution is NTEP-certified, meeting the compliance requirements of local Weights & Measures authorities.
Start Your Smart Water Metering Project with Mainlink
Unlock the benefits of smart ultrasonic water meters with Mainlink. Get in touch with our team to discuss how our LoRaWAN water meters can support your unique metering.