Smart Residential Water Meter
Residential water meters play a critical role at every level of water management. From individual homeowners to national authorities, water conservation and precise monitoring are becoming priorities. Property owners demand accurate, real‑time readings to ensure fair and transparent billing, while regional, state, and federal agencies rely on this data to manage water supplies responsibly.
Smart water meters deliver on these needs. They provide highly accurate readings, continuous monitoring, and detailed usage insights. Beyond measurement, they detect leaks and irregularities early – before they escalate into costly issues. This level of performance, combined with cost efficiency, is why smart metering technology is reshaping how homeowners, property managers, and utilities approach water management.
How Smart Meters work: Traditional Mechanical Meters versus Ultrasonic Smart Meters
Ultrasonic Flow Meter Working Principle
Ultrasonic smart water meters use sound waves to measure the flow and volume of water through a pipe, relying on a non-intrusive design with no moving parts. This approach makes them highly accurate, durable, and low-maintenance even at low flow rates.
There are two main types of ultrasonic flow meters, each using a different method to measure water movement. Doppler ultrasonic meters determine flow velocity by detecting shifts in the frequency of sound waves reflected off particles or air bubbles in the water – a phenomenon known as the Doppler effect. In contrast, transit-time ultrasonic meters calculate flow by measuring how long it takes sound waves to travel upstream and downstream through the water. The difference in transit time provides a precise measurement of flow rate and volume.
Key Features of Our Residential Water Meter
Ultrasonic Technology
The Axioma ultrasonic water meter uses advanced ultrasonic technology to measure water usage through high‑frequency sound waves. This non‑intrusive method does not damage pipes or restrict water flow, while maintaining exceptional accuracy even at flow rates as low as 0.04 GPM.
Smart Data Connectivity
Our meter integrates seamlessly with the Mainhive data management platform. Equipped with built‑in LoRaWAN communication, it delivers reliable long‑range data transmission without requiring additional hardware such as repeaters or transceivers.
Leak Detection Alerts
Stay ahead of potential issues with real‑time leak detection alerts. The meter instantly notifies you of abnormal flow patterns, allowing you to address leaks promptly and avoid costly damage or repairs.
Long Battery Life
Designed for long‑term reliability, the Axioma smart residential water meter features a 16‑year battery life. This ensures consistent performance and peace of mind for both property owners and residents, year after year.
Benefits for Homeowners and Submetering Service Provider
Benefits for Homeowners
- Precise, accurate measurements
Our solution is designed for residential use. Accurate meter readings are essential to ensure fair billing, and our ultrasonic technology delivers precise measurements so residents are charged only for the water they actually use. It also empowers them to make informed choices about consumption and see, in real time, how behavioral changes affect their bills.
- Leak detection
The residential smart water meter detects even the smallest leaks and subtle irregularities in flow or usage patterns. Early detection helps residents address issues before they escalate—saving money and preventing potential water damage.
- User‑friendly mobile app
Mainlink’s smart residential metering solution includes a mobile app that gives residents access to their water usage data anytime, anywhere. Clear, easy‑to‑understand insights into consumption patterns help residents make smarter decisions and adopt more sustainable water‑use habits.
- Easy installation and low maintenance
The residential water meter is simple to install, and its ultrasonic design minimizes maintenance over time. Homeowners benefit from long‑lasting performance and peace of mind.
- Automatic, remote data collection
Manual readings are no longer required. All data is collected automatically and transmitted to the management platform, providing detailed, actionable insights without extra effort from residents or property managers.
Benefits for Submetering Service Provider
- Cost-effective solution: Our residential water meter is suitable for both hot and cold water management. This simplifies your business operations and reduces hardware complexity. Its robust 16-year battery life means it requires low maintenance and no frequent replacements.
- Regulatory compliance: The residential water meter is NTEP-certified, meaning it complies with one of the strictest submetering regulations in the U.S.—California’s. It is approved by Weights and Measures authorities, making it easy to deploy in your projects without additional compliance concerns. Accurate billing data: Our data management platform easily integrates with your invoicing system via API , allowing you to use precise water usage data for individual unit billing
Axioma Ultrasonic Water Meter Technical Specifications |
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Sizes |
¾” x 7½” |
1” x 10¾” |
1 ½” x 12⅝” |
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Operating range: |
0.15 to 30 GPM |
0.3 to 50 GPM |
0.6 to 100 GPM |
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Extended low-flow rate |
0.044 GPM |
0.11 GPM |
0.275 GPM |
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Flow Measurement Accuracy |
±1.5% over the normal flow range ±3.0% from the extended low flow range to the minimum flow value |
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Battery and battery life |
3.6-volt lithium thionyl chloride battery (non-replaceable) 16-year battery life |
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Network compatibility |
Integrated LoRaWAN communication (US902-928 MHz band)
NFC interface |
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Installation |
Indoor or outdoor |
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Protection class |
IP68 |
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Smart Residential Water Meter vs Regular Residential Water Meter
| Smart Water Meter | Regular Water Meter | |
| Principle of operation | Utilizes ultrasonic technology to measure water flow | Operates based on mechanical gears and dials, turbine or a piston |
| Accuracy | Offers higher accuracy due to its advanced technology | May degrade over time due to mechanical wear and buildup of debris or minerals in the meter |
| Maintenance | Less maintenance since it has no moving parts that can wear out periodic calibration may be necessary to maintain accuracy. | Scheduled technician visits according to government regulations (every 2-5 years) |
| Data Collection | Remote, almost real-time data. | Manual reading, usually done by a customer once a month. |
| Leak Detection | Quick detection | No detection |
| Costs | Initial cost tends to be higher due to the advanced technology involved. However, savings can be realized over time through improved accuracy, reduced water loss from leaks, and lower maintenance costs. | Lower initial cost but may incur higher long-term costs due to maintenance, manual reading, and potential inaccuracies leading to revenue loss for utilities. |
| Durability | More durable as it has no moving parts prone to wear and tear. | Susceptible to damage from debris in the water, temperature fluctuations, and physical wear on moving parts, which can lead to degradation in performance and accuracy over time. |
| Mounting Orientation | Any angle | According to specific instructions |
Water Submetering use cases
Automated data collection
All data is collected remotely, eliminating the need for walk-by/drive-by systems. This saves time, reduces fuel costs and provides a safe solution during the coronavirus pandemic.
Automated billing
Set up automated billing for utilities. Our platform sends consumption data to your invoicing platform.
Leak detection
Detect leaks as soon as they happen and prevent further damage to the property.
Why Choose Our Smart Metering Solutions
Ultrasonic smart water meters are a superior choice compared to other types of residential water meters due to their advanced technology and measurable benefits. Building on this innovation, our smart water metering solution goes beyond the device itself. It is a comprehensive, fully featured service that integrates ultrasonic metering with powerful data management tools delivering a modern, cost‑effective approach for homeowners, property managers, and service providers.
Key benefits of our smart water submetering solution:
Accurate data for billing: Accurate meter readings ensure precise billing data, so users are charged only for the water they actually use. Integrate our platform with your billing system via API to deliver clear, reliable bills to your tenants.
Water conservation and sustainability: Detailed insights into consumption patterns help residents and managers make informed choices, implement targeted interventions, and conserve water. Early leak detection further reduces non‑revenue water and prevents unnecessary losses.
Simplified installation: Ultrasonic meters can be installed in half the time of mechanical meters. With the Axilink Lite mobile application, installers can quickly verify that each meter is operating correctly.
Low maintenance: With no moving parts and a 16‑year battery life, our meters require minimal maintenance while providing long‑term reliability.
Automated, remote data collection: Automated remote readings streamline operations and eliminate the labor and costs associated with manual, drive‑by, or walk‑by data collection.
Scalability: Mainlink’s robust smart metering platform uses LoRa® gateways, enabling easy scalability for projects of any size or configuration.
User‑friendly mobile app: The residential mobile app empowers end users to monitor their own water usage, promoting transparency and stronger collaboration between tenants and property owners.
Regulatory compliance: Our NTEP‑certified water submetering system ensures compliance with local and national regulations, giving property owners confidence in meeting industry standards.