While electricity submetering gets the most attention in Ontario, water submetering is growing in importance. Rising municipal water rates, aging infrastructure, and conservation goals are driving more building owners to consider suite-level water metering.
Water submetering works on the same principle as electricity submetering: each unit has its own meter, and residents are billed based on their actual water consumption rather than an equal split of the building total.
Installation approaches for water submetering depend on the building's plumbing configuration. Buildings with dedicated water risers per unit are simpler to meter. Buildings with shared risers or loop plumbing systems may require more complex metering solutions.
Unlike electricity submetering, water submetering in Ontario is not regulated by the OEB. This means the regulatory framework is different. Property owners should consult with their legal advisor about the applicable rules for water billing in their municipality.
The conservation impact of water submetering can be significant. When residents pay for their own water use, they tend to fix leaks faster, take shorter showers, run full loads of laundry, and use water-efficient fixtures. Some Ontario studies have found notable reductions in building water consumption after suite-level metering.
For building owners, the financial case for water submetering includes reduced water and sewer charges, reduced hot water energy costs (since less water means less energy to heat it), and better visibility into building-wide consumption patterns.
Combined electricity and water submetering programs can be particularly effective. Residents see both their electricity and water usage, and the conservation mindset reinforces across both utilities.