Recent water restrictions due to harsh climate conditions underline the critical need to conserve water resources by any means possible. In Sarasota, we have already seen lawn watering reduced to just once per week, but water restrictions don’t have to stop at our lawns - they could impact our pools and watersports, too. In our idyllic Sarasota communities, rising water costs could put a damper on our fun… but also our growth. So water conservation is more critical than ever. 

Some of the most important methods involve behavioral changes from individuals and households. While there are many ways people can reduce their water use, one effective tool for educating people about their water consumption is water submetering. Water submetering not only allows precise, fair, and transparent billing for residents, it also empowers thoughtful water consumption through data-driven water management. Whether through early leak detection or detailed consumption insights, water submetering is an effective tool for reducing residents' water use.

In this complete guide, we’re going to discuss water submetering and two submetering solution providers - Next Century and Mainlink - in Sarasota, so our communities can get a handle on rising costs without completely shutting off the water.  

What is Water Submetering?

Water submetering is a utility billing system in which individual water meters measure water consumption for individual units, whether apartments, condos, or houses, within a multifamily development or community. Each individual submeter monitors and accurately tracks water usage for that unit, allowing for fair, accurate, and completely transparent water billing.

This differs from RUBS (ratio utility billing systems), where water costs are allocated to all residents based on a formula, regardless of the actual water used. This means some units could pay for water they didn’t use, while others don’t pay for water they did use. RUBS is commonly used in America, but it’s falling out of fashion because sustainability, transparency, and fairness are increasingly important to residents and regulators alike. With this context, RUBS is simply not enough. 

Why Water Submetering Is a Smart Investment in Sarasota

Water submetering is a smart investment in Sarasota because rising water and sewer rates directly impact multifamily operating costs. By allocating usage to individual units, property managers reduce overall water consumption, recover utility expenses more accurately, and improve net operating income. In a growing coastal market like Sarasota, where infrastructure pressures and population growth continue to drive costs upward, submetering strengthens both financial control and long-term asset value. 

Key factors for water submetering: 

1. Water Conservation in Southwest Florida’s Climate:
   With many irrigation-heavy communities, and an increasing regulatory need for water accountability in drought-sensitive regions, effective water conservation is a must-have. Data consistently shows that when residents pay for their own measured consumption, usage drops from 15-30%. That reduction lowers total water and sewer bills and reduces strain on plumbing infrastructure. For owners, that means fewer surprises and more predictable budgeting.

2. Fair, Transparent Cost Allocation in Condos & HOAs:
   Fair and transparent billing eliminates equal-split billing and can reduce resident disputes because residents can see how their own consumption directly affects their billing.
3. Rising Water Costs
   Utilities across Florida have steadily increased rates due to infrastructure upgrades, storm resilience investments, and population growth. Sarasota County has faced similar pressures. When master-metered properties absorb all water usage, owners carry the full impact of those increases. Submetering shifts usage costs to actual consumption. That alone changes the financial structure of the asset.

4. Property Value:
   Water submetering systems can increase their appeal to buyers, and transparent cost data appeals to investors and prospective buyers seeking data for responsible management and long-term cost control. In Sarasota’s competitive real estate market, this is a big draw.

5. Operational Clarity for Property Managers:
   Submetering provides unit-level visibility. Leaks, continuous flow, or abnormal usage can be detected earlier. In hurricane-prone coastal regions, early detection matters. Water damage escalates quickly. Monitoring reduces reactive maintenance and insurance exposure.

Florida Compliance Considerations

Associations implementing water submetering must generally:

• Bill residents based on measured consumption

• Disclose billing calculations and administrative fees

• Ensure charges do not exceed the utility rate plus reasonable billing costs

• Follow any applicable local ordinances and HOA governing documents

How to Know When Submetering is the Right Choice

If your property is dealing with a few of the issues below, it’s worth investigating water submetering more thoroughly. Here’s a short list of things to think about:

• Rising water rates are eroding operating margins

• Frequent resident disputes are consuming staff time

• Undetected water leaks are causing property damage

• Consumption reduction is part of asset strategy 

• You are planning capital improvements, value-add upgrades, or upcoming renovation projects 

If you’ve ticked off multiple items on this list, it’s probably time to consider submetering.

Top Water Submetering Solution Providers in Florida

Two prominent submetering providers often considered in Sarasota and Florida more generally are Mainlink and Next Century. 

Mainlink: All-in-One Water Submetering Solution

Mainlink delivers an integrated smart water metering solution combining ultrasonic meters, LoRaWAN connectivity, and a meter data management platform with operator and resident mobile apps. Its ultrasonic technology has no moving parts, supporting long-term accuracy and reduced maintenance. Designed for multifamily, commercial, and community-scale deployments, the system enables remote reading, leak detection, and continuous consumption monitoring. With a U.S. presence, including an office in Florida, Mainlink focuses on accurate billing, operational visibility, and scalable infrastructure.

Next Century

Next Meters is a U.S.-based manufacturer supplying water metering hardware for submetering and utility applications. The company offers ultrasonic meters compatible with AMR and AMI systems and commonly integrated into existing billing platforms and submetering networks. Its focus is on delivering durable, standards-aligned metering devices suited for multifamily and utility environments. Next Meters is widely selected by property owners and service providers seeking reliable metering components within established operational frameworks.

Mainlink or Next Century: Which is Best in Sarasota?

Both Next Century and Mainlink are established water submetering solution providers with experience in multifamily and utility environments. The right choice depends on your property type, operational model, and long-term goals for billing accuracy, leak detection, and system management. Rather than focusing on brand preference, Sarasota property owners and submetering companies should evaluate how each provider’s technology, integration model, and support structure align with their specific needs. A direct conversation with both companies can clarify which solution best supports your operational and financial priorities.