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 New Jersey?

Yes, with utility-specific rules. New Jersey allows water and sewer submetering in new construction built after August 28, 2011, regulated by the Board of Public Utilities, and a resident cannot be charged more than the owner's own water and sewer cost. Electric submetering is allowed, with rates that depend on the county and the building's construction date. Gas submetering is not allowed in New Jersey. NES confirms what applies to your building.

Who regulates submetering in Newark?

New Jersey allows water and sewer submetering, regulated by the Board of Public Utilities, in new construction built after August 28, 2011, with residents billed for their measured use. Utility service itself in Newark falls under the NJ Board of Public Utilities. NES tracks the current New Jersey and local requirements for your address, so billing is set up to match the rule.

Who provides water and utilities in Newark?

Water and sewer service in Newark comes from the City of Newark Department of Water and Sewer Utilities. 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 Essex County.

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 Newark, New Jersey

New Jersey allows water and sewer submetering in construction built after August 28, 2011 and electric submetering at rates that depend on the county, while gas stays billed by the utility. NES installs the submeters, reads them daily, and bills your residents across Newark. 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 Newark and the Essex County. Install, meter reading, resident billing, and compliance, all handled in-house since 1968.

Yes. Submetering is allowed in Newark, New Jersey, with some restrictions.

It is regulated by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, 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 Newark

Governing rule: N.J.A.C. 14:3 · NJ Board of Public Utilities

New Jersey state rules

New Jersey allows water and sewer submetering, regulated by the Board of Public Utilities, in new construction built after August 28, 2011, with residents billed for their measured use
A resident cannot be charged more in total than the owner's own water and sewer charges, and no resident can be billed for more than that unit's measured use
Electric submetering is allowed in New Jersey, with rates and eligibility that depend on the county and the building's construction date, so ask NES what applies to your building. Gas submetering and gas cost pass-throughs are not allowed in New Jersey, so gas stays billed by the utility.
Submeters must meet the national accuracy standard, and a resident can request a meter test and get a refund if the meter reads high
Owners cannot profit on resold utilities, common area usage stays with the owner, and each bill must show the readings and charges
Local water utilities and rent regulated cities add their own rules, which NES tracks for your address

Local Newark requirements

Water and sewer service in Newark comes from the City of Newark Department of Water and Sewer Utilities
Electricity and natural gas are provided by PSE&G
Newark has rent control on many older buildings, so billing residents for their own measured use keeps utility charges separate from regulated rent
We serve communities across Newark and Essex County, including the Ironbound, the North Ward, Belleville, Bloomfield, Irvington, East Orange, and Montclair
NES confirms the rules for your address before the first meter goes in.

How NES keeps you compliant

Tracks every New Jersey 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: NJ Board of Public Utilities · N.J. Revised Statutes Title 48 · City of Newark Water and Sewer Utilities

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

Why owners in the Newark 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

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 New Jersey cities

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

Submetering in Jersey City

Free assessment

Get a free bid for your property

Tell us about your Newark 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