When it comes to facility management, water conservation often takes a backseat to energy initiatives. But understanding the fundamental differences between managing water and managing energy is critical for achieving real operational savings. Unlike energy, water is a stable-cost resource — prices don’t fluctuate dramatically with supply issues — and significant savings come not from installing new equipment, but from finding and fixing leaks.

Submetering, the practice of installing multiple water meters throughout a building, plays a pivotal role. Although meters don't directly reduce consumption, they provide the essential data needed to detect leaks, allocate costs, and verify savings from conservation projects. Facilities that implement submetering often see return on investment in as little as two months because even small leaks can cause massive financial losses over time.

A strategic approach to water management begins by recognizing that leaks, not inefficient fixtures, are the biggest source of waste. Cooling towers, irrigation systems, fountains, and even rarely used retail spaces can hide small, persistent leaks that add up to thousands of dollars annually. Submeters placed on single-pass equipment, irrigation lines, cooling tower make-up lines, and tenant spaces allow facility managers to monitor real-time consumption and address issues immediately.

Choosing the right type of water meter matters, too. Displacement meters, turbine meters, single-jet meters, and ultrasonic meters all have specific use cases, accuracy ranges, and maintenance considerations. For instance, ultrasonic meters are gaining popularity for their accuracy and non-invasive installation, but they come at a higher upfront cost and often have non-replaceable batteries.

Learn more by watching this video from NFMT Baltimore presented by Hershel Weiss, Chief Engineer for Ashokan Water Services.

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