From Analog to Advanced: How Smart Water Metering Transformed Mission Terrace

Mainlink & Axioma Metering’s solution was implemented in 202 apartments in California, U.S., for advanced water management.

Location: Santa Clara, California, USA 

Property Type: Four‑story, 202‑unit multifamily community (built 2006, 461,832 sq ft) 

Stakeholders: Meternet (service provider), property owner & management team, 202 resident households 

Technology Partners: Mainlink & Axioma Metering (Ultrasonic meters, data management platform, mobile app) 

Smart metering is reshaping water management worldwide by bringing efficiency, transparency, and accountability to both property owners and residents while helping communities address growing water-conservation demands. In North America, and especially in California, regulators actively promote automated metering infrastructure (AMI) to support sustainable water use, reduce waste, and improve resident satisfaction through accurate, real-time billing. 

In California, submetering is governed by a robust regulatory framework. The Department of Weights and Measures certifies water meters for billing, enforces measurement standards, and audits utility practices to ensure consumer protection. Requirements outlined in NIST Handbook 44, the California Plumbing Code, and Title 4, Section UR.2 mandate that water meters be accurate, certified, and “readily observable” – a standard increasingly met through NTEP-certified wireless endpoints and mobile apps. This oversight ensures that smart metering solutions not only meet technical specifications but also align with the state’s broader goals for resource conservation and regulatory compliance. 

The Challenge 

Until early 2024, Mission Terrace relied on aging analog meters that were read only once a month. Without real-time visibility, leaks often went undetected for extended periods. As the meters aged, accuracy declined leading to billing discrepancies and resident dissatisfaction. 

The Solution 

Meternet deployed a turnkey Mainlink & Axioma Metering smart submetering solution built around advanced ultrasonic meters. Four Kerlink’s indoor LoRa® gateways – installed in the apartment complex area. Real‑time data flows into data management platform, while residents track personal usage through a mobile app and receive instant leak alerts.  

Executive Snapshot 

In just 30 days, Meternet successfully planned, managed, and completed the installation of 404 Axioma ultrasonic water meters (202 hot and 202 cold) at Mission Terrace Apartments. The result: a fully automated metering infrastructure (AMI) that delivers remote, accurate, and transparent water usage data to both property managers and residents. 

  • 15-minute installation per ultrasonic meter 
  • 30-minute water downtime per unit (2 meters per apartment) 
  • 2× faster installation compared to mechanical meters 
  • $8,000 saved on labor by choosing ultrasonic meters for faster, any-angle installation  
  • $40,400 saved by eliminating remote meter displays – resident mobile app provides regulatory-compliant visibility at zero cost 
  • 6 water leaks detected within the first two months 

California regulations require water meters to be easily observable. If meters are hidden, properties must install either remote displays or certified wireless systems. Since the Mainlink and Axioma solution is NTEP-certified and includes a resident-facing app, the client avoided installing remote displays at each unit, saving approximately $40,400. An additional $8,000 was saved by using ultrasonic meters, which are easier to install and eliminate the need for transceivers – a common hardware component in the U.S. used to enable remote data transmission from mechanical meters.

Benefits for Stakeholders: 

  • Property Owner: ​Lower costs, real-time oversight, fewer disputes​
  • Residents: ​Mobile access, leak alerts, fair billing​
  • Service Provider: ​Easier compliance, maintenance-free meters​