Ten Facts Regarding Water Metering, Water Billing and Water Efficiency for New York Landlords and Property Managers (LeakBird)

Feb.27, 2009 in Prop Management, Public Works, Running Toilets, Water Bills, Water Conservation, Water Industry

I recently came across an insightful 2006 document (pdf) from New York’s Department of the Environment on water/ sewer billing, water metering and water efficiency, put together for New York landlords and property managers.

I know that it’s now three years old, so some of the information is perhaps dated, though in essence I would hazard that a good a deal if not the brunt of it is relevant today, especially given the rate at which the public works can sometimes move when it comes to water issues.

I figured that I would reduce the seminar presentation to 10 facts, so as to make it more easily digestible:

There are Two Types of Water/ Sewer Billing: a) Flat Rate (”Frontage”) — Frontage is the size of the building and the number of water-using fixtures in it and b) Metered — Metered means it’s based on actual water consumption.

There is a Bill Cap for Small Residential Buildings Where Water Consumption is Due to Population Density: This does not apply to inefficient or leaking fixtures, such as running toilets.

Landlords and Property Managers can Request to Transition Buildings from Frontage to Metered Water Billing: This request must be made in writing. However, the building is not sub-metered, though this is a requirement for all commercial buildings, but rather master-metered building-wide.

Average Indoor Water Usage Per Person (Not Customer): New Yorkers consume 65 – 75 gallons of water per day per person, which is equivalent to $146 – 169 per year per person. Hence, a family of four would consume 260 – 300 gallons of water per day in total.

There is a Multi-Family Water Conservation Points Program: Landlords and property managers can sign on to this program (deadline was Dec. of 2008), but they have to abide by the rules, meaning no late payments, meet water efficiency requirements. Also, this program only applies to buildings of six or more units.

Property Manager and Landlord Goals: They should know exactly how much water their buildings consume. Everything is metered in HCF, hundred cubic feet, which is 748 gallons.

Learn How to Read Different Types of Water Meters: a) Displacement Meters — 6 dials with white backgrounds measuring water usage in HCF b) Compound Meters — 2 separate meters which measure “High Flow” and “Low Flow” c) Turbine Meters — 7, 8 or 9 dials, used in larger residential buildings with roof tanks.

Average New York Home Water Usage:
toilets 28%
clothes washers 21%
showers 17%
faucets 15%
leaks 14%
other 5%

Toilets are Single Worst Leak Problem in All Residential Buildings: We can say this is true across the board in the US. Of course, we seriously suggest considering installing water savings technologies for toilets, as does the PDF under discussion.

New Toilets Another Major Way to Reduce Water Consumption in Buildings: I know this is a no-brainer, however, this document suggests finding a toilet with an “MaP Test Score” of between 250 and 500, an indicator for flush performance. Dual Flush HETs, Flapperless Gravity-Flush Toilets, and Pressurized Tank Toilets come highly recommended, many with $100 to $200 subsidized rebates.

Some suggested resources for further exploration include the “Help Center and Water Metering/ Billing” sections on the DEP website, as well as the AWWA’s “Water Efficiency Resources” and Get Energy Smart’s “Energy Efficient Resources“.

If you are interested in How You Can Increase Your Cash Flows by $2,500.00 Every Year and Never Pay for High Water Bills Due to Your Tenants’ Running Toilets, sign up for our Free Report here.

Abendigo Reebs is the VP of Business Development for LeakBird Industries LLC in San Francisco, CA. He may be reached by email at ben@leakbird

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