Water Meter Brand/Model Recommendations for 30-Lot MHP?

Question

Could some of you provide water meter brand and model recommendations?

I am looking to sub-meter water in a MHP that has 30 lots.  The meter connections would be located under the home so I would need a remote reader.  I understand this could be a wireless reader or a data reading device that plugs to a data extension cord.  I am open to exploring either option.

Thanks!

Gulliver R. · Answer

I’m looking for the same thing right now. I hear ABT, SLC, Mertion, and Southern Water Management are all good options. I’m shopping around right now.

Account Closed · Answer

@Jeronimo C. Sensus or Neptune meters are going to be your best option for a MHP in Montana.  If your park has a lot of sediment in the water then you are should opt for an ultrasonic meter such as a Sensus iPerl meter. Contact Guardian Water & Power for a competitive bid.  Guardian provides submeter system design and installation, remote monitoring, automated leak detection alerts and utility bill back services.

Gulliver R. · Answer

@Jeronimo C.

Any one of those water submeters companies will be good/great. An alternative would be to apply the RUBS billing method for water/sewer, which costs no money. But it’s a bit trickier and not as accurate as submeters.

JC K. · Answer

I think it is pretty obvious sub-metering utilities is one way to significantly increase a park's profitability.  It seems to me most investors here know that and work toward that goal.  So I was expecting more participation on this subject.  Maybe this will help:

I don't have much to share yet, except that I reached out to most of the companies @Gulliver R. shared above.  The only company that got back to me so far is Southern Water Management.  It seems this may be because most companies want to deal with bigger parks.  Southern WM can either provide a submetering service or sell meters.  If you only buy the meters they charge an additional 25%.  If you go with a submetering contract there is a standard 3 year contract, but you can also get out of the contract earlier with a buy-out fee of $1,500 during year one, $1,000 during year two, and $500 during year three.   Here is some preliminary information I received (I don't think anyone would mind me sharing this):

"Our current RF meter prices (only offered to our submetering service partners) are $65 for interior application and $95 for exterior applications. There is a one time billing cloud set up fee of $200.  Our monthly R/B/C service is $5 per unit billed to the resident/tenant. So after the initial cost there is no ongoing cost to the owner."

However, for the monthly R/B/C service there is a $150 minimum.  The $65 or $95 is for the purchase of the meter itself.  I understand installation of the meters is easy and should take less than an hour per unit.  The complete service is sounding more appealing to me.  Among other things, Southern would handle dealing with tenants and the billing, which would mirror the City's complicated billing methods.

In my case, lot rents are $300/month and are inclusive of water, sewer and garbage.  My conclusion is a water conscious tenant would spend about $65/month in water and sewer, though I know of at least a couple of tenants I estimate were costing the park up to $165/moth.  Overall, I am considering lowering lot rents to $250/month to limit the net increase to only $15/month for now.

If you have some experience on this subject, please share.

Thanks!

Gulliver R. · Answer

for sure

JC K. · Answer

@Gulliver R. thanks for the response.  I reached out to those companies and I am waiting for their responses.  If you don't mind, please share more info as you make a decision.

Does anyone else have recommendations?

Thanks!

Water Meter Brand/Model Recommendations for 30-Lot MHP?

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