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 South Carolina?

For water and sewer, yes. In 2026 the South Carolina Court of Appeals held that owners who pass water and sewer costs to residents at cost, with a third party handling billing, are not public utilities and need no PSC approval (Zito v. Strata Audubon), and the state Supreme Court declined to review the decision in June 2026. Electric and gas submetering are not allowed in South Carolina, and a few cities, including Greenville and West Columbia, do not allow submetered water billing. The lease should allow utility billing, and residents pay only actual costs. NES handles it end to end.

Who regulates submetering in Spartanburg County?

Owners who bill residents for water and sewer at cost are not public utilities under South Carolina law, per a 2026 Court of Appeals decision (Zito v. Strata Audubon). Utility service itself in Spartanburg County falls under the Public Service Commission of SC. NES tracks the current South Carolina and local requirements for your address, so billing is set up to match the rule.

Who provides water and utilities in Spartanburg County?

Water is provided by Spartanburg Water and nearby systems. 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 Spartanburg 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 Spartanburg County, South Carolina

Most Spartanburg County apartment communities sit on a single Spartanburg Water 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/sewer submetering for apartment communities, condominiums, and mobile home parks across Spartanburg County and the Spartanburg area. Install, meter reading, resident billing, and compliance, all handled in-house since 1968.

Yes. Submetering is allowed in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, with some restrictions.

A 2026 South Carolina Court of Appeals decision, which the state Supreme Court declined to review, confirmed that owners who pass water and sewer costs through at cost are not public utilities, so PSC rate approval does not apply. Electric and gas submetering are not allowed in South Carolina, so billing programs here cover water and sewer. NES handles the billing for you.

What we submeter

Water & sewer
Per-unit water and sewer metering with 24-hour leak alerts.

Rules & compliance

Submetering rules & laws in Spartanburg County

Governing rule: SC PSC & ORS · water/wastewater

South Carolina state rules

Owners who bill residents for water and sewer at cost are not public utilities under South Carolina law, per a 2026 Court of Appeals decision (Zito v. Strata Audubon)
Electric and gas submetering and RUBS are not allowed in South Carolina, so resident billing programs here cover water and sewer
A few cities set their own limits: Greenville (a Greenville Water rule that also reaches Mauldin, Simpsonville, Travelers Rest, and Fountain Inn) and West Columbia do not allow submetered or RUBS water billing, and Rock Hill requires city approval
No PSC certification or registration is required; the PSC dropped its submeterer certification plan in 2003 and the courts have upheld that
The resident's lease should allow utility billing, and residents are billed for their measured usage
Submeters must be accurate, and bills must clearly state the charges
NES tracks the current South Carolina requirements so your property stays compliant

Local Spartanburg County requirements

Water is provided by Spartanburg Water and nearby systems
Electricity is provided by Duke Energy, and natural gas by Piedmont Natural Gas
We serve communities across Spartanburg County, including Spartanburg, Boiling Springs, Duncan, Lyman, and Inman
NES confirms the rules for your address before the first meter goes in.

How NES keeps you compliant

Tracks every South Carolina 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: SC Office of Regulatory Staff · Public Service Commission of SC · Zito v. Strata Audubon (S.C. Ct. App. 2026)

General information only, not legal advice; NES assumes no liability for reliance. Confirm current rules with the Public Service Commission of SC or a qualified attorney.

Why owners in the Upstate 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 South Carolina cities

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

Free assessment

Get a free bid for your property

Tell us about your Spartanburg 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