What are the benefits of submetering an apartment community?

When residents pay for what they actually use, they cut back. Most properties see 15 to 30 percent lower water use. Daily reads also catch leaks early, and common-area water stops getting spread across everyone's rent. Payback usually lands within 12 to 18 months.

Is submetering legal in Florida?

Yes. Florida law lets owners submeter water and sewer and bill residents at no more than the utility's actual charge, plus a surcharge of up to 9 percent of the actual cost of water and wastewater service, limited to the actual cost of meter reading and billing (Section 367.022(9)). Owners who stay within those limits are exempt from Florida Public Service Commission regulation under Section 367.022, Florida Statutes. Electric submetering falls under the PSC's master-metering rule, and billing fees are not allowed on electric or gas. Local rules vary by county and city, and NES tracks every requirement so your property stays compliant.

Who regulates submetering in Broward County?

Water, sewer, and electric submetering are allowed in Florida at the state level; gas is the exception, since Florida PSC rule 25-7.058 bars reselling gas from a PSC-regulated gas utility. Utility service itself in Broward County falls under the Florida PSC. NES tracks the current Florida and local requirements for your address, so billing is set up to match the rule.

Who provides water and utilities in Broward County?

Broward County Water and Wastewater Services and many city utilities serve the area and can affect water metering and service. NES works with whichever provider serves your property, installs the submeters, reads them, pays the master-meter bill, and bills your residents in-house across the Fort Lauderdale area.

How much does it cost, and what is the ROI?

Most submetering installs pay for themselves within 12 to 18 months through the utility cost you recover. We'll run the numbers on your actual master-meter bills and unit count, then send you an estimate. You are not signing anything.

Will I be locked into NES equipment?

No. NES installs nonproprietary meters that other companies can read, The meters are yours, and extended warranties are available if you want one.

Submetering Apartments in Broward County, Florida

Most Broward County apartment communities run on a single master meter, and the owner absorbs the bill. NES installs the submeters, reads them daily, pays the master-meter bill, and bills your residents for their own use. Get a free bid.

Get a free bid (800) 572-7060

Privately owned since: 1968Privately owned since
States served: 43+States served
Typical utility savings: 15-40%Typical utility savings
In-house support: BilingualIn-house support

NES handles water/sewer and electric submetering for apartment communities, condominiums, and mobile home parks across Broward County and the Fort Lauderdale area. Install, meter reading, resident billing, and compliance, all handled in-house since 1968.

Yes. Submetering is allowed in Broward County, Florida, with some restrictions.

Owners who bill at no more than the utility's actual charge are exempt from Florida PSC regulation, and local rules vary by city, so NES handles the requirements for you.

What we submeter

Water & sewer
Per-unit water and sewer metering with 24-hour leak alerts.
Electric
Electric submetering on nonproprietary meters you own.

Rules & compliance

Submetering rules & laws in Broward County

Governing rule: § 367.022 F.S. · PSC Rule 25-6.049

Florida state rules

Water, sewer, and electric submetering are allowed in Florida at the state level; gas is the exception, since Florida PSC rule 25-7.058 bars reselling gas from a PSC-regulated gas utility
Florida law lets owners submeter water and sewer and bill residents at no more than the utility's actual charge, plus a surcharge of up to 9 percent of the actual cost of water and wastewater service, limited to the actual cost of meter reading and billing (Section 367.022(9))
Owners who stay within those limits are exempt from Florida Public Service Commission regulation under Section 367.022, Florida Statutes
Electric submetering is allowed under the Florida PSC's master-metering rule (Fla. Admin. Code R. 25-6.049), which lets the owner apportion the utility's billed cost and recover no more than that; new construction after 1981 must be individually metered
Billing fees are not allowed on electric or gas, so those pass through at the utility's actual cost
County and city rules vary, and several Florida cities require registration or limit what residents can be billed, which NES tracks for your address

Local Broward County requirements

Broward County Water and Wastewater Services and many city utilities serve the area and can affect water metering and service
Broward County follows Florida's statewide rules for resold water: residents are billed for their measured use, and an owner cannot charge more than the utility's cost
We serve communities across Broward County, including Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, Miramar, Pompano Beach, Davie, Plantation, Sunrise, and Deerfield Beach
Florida rules change from time to time. NES keeps track and updates your billing when they do.

How NES keeps you compliant

Tracks every Florida and local rule that affects your property
Handles rate registrations and required filings
Keeps audit-ready billing archives
Manages tenant disclosures and meter testing

See how NES handles compliance

Official sources: Florida PSC · Fla. Stat. § 367.022 · Fla. Admin. Code R. 25-6.049 (electric master metering)

General information only, not legal advice; NES assumes no liability for reliance. Confirm current rules with the Florida PSC or a qualified attorney.

Why owners in Broward County use NES

Per gallon. Residents pay for what they actually use.
15-30%. Lower utility consumption.
Under 24 hr. Leaks flagged the same day.

What happens after you call

Step 1
Free assessment
We review your master-meter bills and unit count, then model what you would recover. There is no charge for this.
Step 2
Install meters
We install nonproprietary meters at each unit. The equipment is yours, and other companies can read it.
Step 3
Read & detect
Daily reads pull usage automatically and flag leaks within 24 hours, before they run up a bill.
Step 4
Bill & support
We bill residents, pay the master-meter utility, and field resident questions in-house, in English and Spanish.

Real NES results

337-unit apartment communityWater

34% lower

water use per unit in submetered units

Not yet metered100%

Submetered66%

The property added meters as leases renewed. Midway, the 168 submetered units averaged 3,868 gallons per unit per month against 5,846 for the 169 not yet metered, and their average bill was 36% lower ($54.22 vs $84.72). Figures from NES property records.

140-home community, New MexicoWater & sewer

$264 / yr

owner's annual water and sewer cost, down from $26,400

Before submetering$26,400 / yr

After submetering$264 / yr

The owner had been absorbing the whole master-meter bill. After metering each home, residents paid for what they used. Figures from NES property records.

Real NES properties. Results vary by property, utility rates, and resident mix.

Submetering in nearby Florida cities

NES installs and runs submetering across Florida. See the rules and results for other communities we serve.

Free assessment

Get a free bid for your property

Tell us about your Broward County property and we’ll respond within one business day.

or call us directly: (800) 572-7060

Privately owned since 1968
Nonproprietary meters, no lock-in
In-house bilingual support
No long-term contracts

Common questions