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. Submetering also catches leaks early, lets you bill common-area usage accurately, and can raise the value of the property. Payback usually lands within 12 to 18 months.

Is submetering legal in Illinois?

Water submetering is in wide use across Illinois, and under the Rental Property Utility Service Act and Tenant Utility Payment Disclosure Act (765 ILCS 735 and 740) an owner who allocates a master-metered bill must disclose the formula and cannot bill more than the utility charges. Water and electric RUBS allocation are allowed, with administrative fees disclosed in the lease. Gas submetering is not allowed in Illinois. The Illinois Commerce Commission oversees utilities. NES tracks every requirement so your property stays compliant.

Who regulates submetering in Springfield?

Water submetering is in wide use across Illinois apartments, with each unit's usage measured and the billing terms set in the lease. Utility service itself in Springfield falls under the Illinois Commerce Commission. NES tracks the current Illinois and local requirements for your address, so billing is set up to match the rule.

Who provides water and utilities in Springfield?

Water and electricity are provided by City Water, Light and Power (CWLP), the municipal utility. 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 Springfield 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 a clear, no-obligation estimate.

Will I be locked into NES equipment?

No. NES installs nonproprietary meters that other companies can read, and extended warranties are available on our submeters. You're never locked in.

Submetering Apartments in Springfield, Illinois

When a Springfield building shares one master meter, the owner carries the whole utility cost. NES installs the submeters, reads them daily, 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 Springfield and the Springfield area. Install, meter reading, resident billing, and compliance, all handled in-house since 1968.

Yes. Submetering is allowed in Springfield, Illinois, with some restrictions.

Illinois statutes are largely silent on submetering itself, allocation billing has disclosure rules, and 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 Springfield

Governing rule: 765 ILCS 735 & 740 · Illinois Commerce Commission

Illinois state rules

Water submetering is in wide use across Illinois apartments, with each unit's usage measured and the billing terms set in the lease
Under the Rental Property Utility Service Act and the Tenant Utility Payment Disclosure Act (765 ILCS 735 and 740), an owner who allocates a master-metered bill must give residents the written allocation formula, and the total billed cannot exceed the utility's charge
Owners cannot switch residents from landlord-paid to tenant-paid utilities during a lease term and must give at least 30 days notice before a change (765 ILCS 735/1.2)
Water and electric RUBS allocation are allowed in Illinois, with any administrative fees disclosed in the lease, while gas submetering is not allowed
Electric and gas service is overseen by the Illinois Commerce Commission, and NES tracks the current requirements

Local Springfield requirements

Water and electricity are provided by City Water, Light and Power (CWLP), the municipal utility
Natural gas is provided by Ameren Illinois
We serve Springfield and nearby communities, including Chatham, Rochester, Sherman, and Riverton
Our compliance team rechecks Illinois and local requirements before billing starts.

How NES keeps you compliant

Tracks every Illinois 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: Illinois Commerce Commission · 765 ILCS 735 (Rental Property Utility Service Act) · 765 ILCS 740 (Tenant Utility Payment Disclosure Act) · City Water, Light and Power (CWLP)

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

Why owners across central Illinois choose NES for submetering

Per gallon. Residents pay for what they actually use.
15-30%. Lower utility consumption.
Under 24 hr. Catch leaks before they cost thousands.

How NES handles it, end to end

Step 1
Free assessment
We review your master-meter bills and unit count, then model the recovery. No cost, no obligation.
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

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.

337-unit apartment communityWater

36% lower

water use per unit after submetering

Before submetering100%

After submetering64%

Water use fell 36% once residents paid for their own consumption. Average cost per unit went from $84.72 to $54.22 a month, about 2,000 gallons saved per unit. Figures from NES property records.

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

Submetering in nearby Illinois cities

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

Free assessment

Get a free bid for your property

Tell us about your Springfield 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