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 Alabama?

Yes. Residential water, electric, and gas submetering are all legal in Alabama. The Alabama Public Service Commission regulates utilities that serve the public (Ala. Code § 37-4-1), and no Alabama statute is aimed at property owners who bill their own residents through submeters, so owners have flexibility as long as the lease is clear and meters are accurate. NES tracks every requirement so your property stays compliant.

Who regulates submetering in Montgomery County?

Residential water, electric, and gas submetering are all legal in Alabama, and sewer and trash can be billed individually too. Utility service itself in Montgomery County falls under the Alabama PSC. NES tracks the current Alabama and local requirements for your address, so billing is set up to match the rule.

Who provides water and utilities in Montgomery County?

Water is provided by the Montgomery Water Works and Sanitary Sewer Board. 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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery County, Alabama

Most Montgomery County apartment communities sit on a single Montgomery Water Works master meter, and the owner eats 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, gas & electric submetering for apartment communities, condominiums, and mobile home parks across Montgomery County and the Montgomery area. Install, meter reading, resident billing, and compliance, all handled in-house since 1968.

Yes. Submetering is allowed in Montgomery County, Alabama, with some restrictions.

Alabama has no statute aimed at owner billing through submeters, and NES handles the lease and local requirements for you.

What we submeter

Water & sewer
Per-unit water and sewer metering with 24-hour leak alerts.
Natural gas
Gas meters on each unit, read and billed the same way as water.
Electric
Electric submetering on nonproprietary meters you own.

Rules & compliance

Submetering rules & laws in Montgomery County

Governing rule: Ala. Code § 37-4-1 · Alabama PSC

Alabama state rules

Residential water, electric, and gas submetering are all legal in Alabama, and sewer and trash can be billed individually too
Alabama's utility statutes define a utility as one furnishing service to or for the public (Ala. Code § 37-4-1), and no state statute is aimed at property owners who bill their own residents through submeters
With no statewide billing statute, the billing terms, including any service or administrative fee, are set by the lease, so the lease should state them clearly
Submeters should meet recognized accuracy standards
NES tracks the current Alabama requirements so your property stays compliant

Local Montgomery County requirements

Water is provided by the Montgomery Water Works and Sanitary Sewer Board
Electricity is provided by Alabama Power, and natural gas by Spire
We serve communities across Montgomery County, including Montgomery, Pike Road, and Ramer
If Montgomery County adds a requirement, NES adjusts your billing before it becomes a problem.

How NES keeps you compliant

Tracks every Alabama 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: Ala. Code § 37-4-1 (utility definitions) · Alabama PSC

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

Why owners in the Montgomery area 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

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.

130-home park, TexasWater & sewer

$6,600 / yr

annual water and sewer cost, down from $120,000

Before submetering$120,000 / yr

After submetering$6,600 / yr

The park also gained more than $113,000 in annual revenue once each home was billed for its own use. Figures from NES property records.

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

Submetering in nearby Alabama cities

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

Free assessment

Get a free bid for your property

Tell us about your Montgomery 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