Separate metering for water usage in multi-unit dwellings allows for the tracking of consumption at the individual unit level. This contrasts with building-wide metering where all tenants share the cost of total water usage. For example, in a building with individual meters, each apartment’s water bill reflects their specific consumption, whereas in a building with a single meter, the total water cost is typically divided among tenants, often based on factors like apartment size or number of occupants.
Utility metering at the unit level promotes water conservation by assigning financial responsibility directly to the consumer. When residents are accountable for their own water usage, they are more likely to adopt water-saving practices. Historically, shared water costs often led to a “tragedy of the commons” scenario, where individuals had little incentive to conserve because the cost was distributed across all tenants. This practice can result in higher overall consumption and potential disputes among residents regarding fair allocation of costs. Precise measurement also facilitates early leak detection, potentially preventing costly damage and water waste.
