Resident Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is WaterWatch Corporation?
WaterWatch Corporation is a full service utility submetering and billing services company specializing in multi-family residential, commercial, and condominium real estate properties. Founded in 1997, WaterWatch Corporation has been a pioneer in the utility submetering marketplace and has successfully been involved in the installation of thousands of meters throughout the United States.
Where Is WaterWatch Located?
WaterWatch is based out of Rochester , New York . Our corporate headquarters are located at 67 Warehouse Street Rochester , New York 14608.
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What Is Utility Submetering?
Utility submetering is the process of allocating utility costs to individual residents in multi-unit rental properties. Costs are allocated on the basis of actual use as measured by a submeter, which is installed in each unit. Each month the meter is read via a wireless data collection unit, radio read, or manual remote touch pad.
How Does Utility Submetering Work?
Individual meters are installed in each apartment and linked through a special interface. Advanced software allows us to collect and interpret usage information at our home office. WaterWatch bills and collects resident's payments, and reimburses the property owner for the resident's usage. This process is fast and accurate.
How Is Utility Submetering Installed?
Each building's construction determines the approach we take to installing a submetering system. The common method of installation is placing a meter on the unit's cold water supply, prior to the hot water tank. In buildings where several waterlines are shared by different units, a hot water allocation system or a Ratio Utility Billing System (RUBS) may be needed.
What Will Utility Submetering Accomplish?
Energy conservation should be an important part of everyone's lives. Submetering results in residents being responsible for their own level of consumption. Government funded studies indicate that submetering reduces property total consumption by as much as twenty-five percent. Once the resident becomes accountable, they will be quick to report leaks; something they are less apt to do as long as the property owner is paying the bill. Submetering utilities allows the property owner to control previously uncontrollable expenses. Therefore, residents paying for there own utility usage helps property owners control unexpected rent increases. Utilities are a precious commodity that everyone needs to be aware of; submetering holds everyone accountable for their usage.
Utility Allocation Methods
WaterWatch calculates your unit's bill based on one of the following utility allocation methods:
- 100% Metered
Each apartment unit's utility cost is measured 100% by a meter. Whether the utility is water, gas, or electric, the unit's meter identifies that resident's usage consumption only. This method of submetering is the most accurate and allows for point of use maintenance troubleshooting. - Meter Ratio System
Depending on the properties mechanical layout, it may only be possible to meter a portion of a utility. For example, a water submetering system may meter the hot water inlet (usually before the hot water tank) and allocate the cold water usage. This method allows for the maintenance team to partially detect leaks and identify unit location. - Ratio Utility Billing Service (RUBS)
RUBS are an alternative approach to allocating utility expenses when submetering is impossible due to unit mechanical configurations. Formulas are created to allocate usage based on factors that can include square footage or number of occupants. The property's master meter usage is divided among residents according to established formulas. RUBS does not allow for maintenance troubleshooting leaks. - Run-Time Allocation
A run-time module is a digital device that monitors the time a gas valve, switch or other voltage input is applied. The device calculates the time and outputs a pulse to interface with a wireless transmitter for data transmission. Pulses are calculated and then allocated to each unit based on master bill usage.
Am I The Only Person Being Charged For Utility Costs?
No, every resident in the property receives a monthly statement of charges for utilities. Depending on the properties billing method; your usage is based on your units meter, an allocated portion of your units meter or RUBS formula. There are many properties both commercial and residential that submeter and bill their residents for their portion of the submetered utility. Submetering has been successfully implemented throughout the nation for many years. New construction, water shortages, and rising utility prices have driven this trend.
Is This The Only Property Charging For Utility Costs?
No, there are many properties both multi-family and commercial that submeter and bill their residents for their portion of the submeter utility. Submetering has been successfully implemented throughout the nation for many years. New construction, water shortages, and rising utility prices have driven this trend.
How Are The Property Common Areas Charged?
Depending on the property, WaterWatch may or may not pass the common area charges onto the resident. Common are charges may include: pool water, clubhouse utilities, property grounds sprinkler system, common laundry facilities, etc.
How Is The Utility Rate Determined?
WaterWatch utility rates are determined by the local municipality. Rates schedules can be passed through to resident however, the property cannot charge more than the local municipality. A property can always charge less . The WaterWatch municipality department is constantly updating local utility rates.
How Do I Read My Bill?
Every thirty days you will receive a bill via US Postal Service or optional e-bill for your portion of utilities used. Utility charges are calculated by the local municipality's schedule of rates. Apartment meter readings are usually collected via a wireless radio transmitter integrated into the meter. Resident's units do not have to be disturbed. Click here to see an example billing statement
Estimated Bills
WaterWatch reads your meter every month. Due to bad weather or technical problems, occasionally WaterWatch is forced to estimate a bill based on past usage. The estimated usage may be lower or higher than the actual meter usage. Any difference is made up when we obtain an actual meter reading.
Number of Days
Our billing periods are usually thirty days. But they may be longer or shorter than that. Changes in the number of days in the billing period can noticeably affect your bill.
Energy Used or Usage
Usage is the amount of energy use or the difference of the current and prior meter read. The amount may be in gallons, cubic foot, kilowatt, or therms.
Due Date
This is the date that your payment must be received by WaterWatch. A late fee penalty charge will be applied on all over due balances.
Billing Definitions
- Late Payment Charge - Your payment is due when you receive your bill. A monthly late payment charge of $5.00 per month will be assessed on any unpaid balance, including service billing arrears and unpaid late payment charges.
- Non Sufficient Funds Charge - A $20.00 NSF charge will be applied.
- Base Charge - Reflects WaterWatch's administrative costs for reading meters, mailing bills and all operational cost.
- Meter Multiplier - Some meters require a multiplier be added to convert readings to total actual use. For meters that already record total use, no meter multiplier is shown.
- Gallons is a measure of the quantity of water you used
- Cubic Feet is a measure of the quantity of the gas you receive
- Gas Heat Content is used to convert a quantity of gas (in cubic feet) to a measure of heat content. You are billed on the basis of the heating capacity of the gas you use, which is measured in therms and varies from month to month.
- Therm To calculate therms, multiply cubic feet of gas used by the gas heat content.
- Kilowatt-Hour (kwh) is a measure of the quantity of electricity you receive. A kwh equals 1,000 watt-hours of electricity use. One kwh equals the energy needed to operate a 100-watt light bulb for ten hours.
Questions On My Bill?
Customer service is WaterWatch's top priority. A WaterWatch representative is available 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. eastern time for your convenience. Please feel free to call 800-256-9826 and speak to a customer representative with any billing problems or utility issues. Online customer account access is available at the resident pay online.
Payment Options?
All payments must be submitted with the attached billing remittance stub by the posted due date. A late charge of $5.00 will be applied for overdue balances and NSF fee is $20.00. Payment options are: mail a check, credit card payment via telephone, online payment, ACH payment, pay at property, and pay at the WaterWatch billing office. Please mail check, money order, or cashier's check to: WaterWatch Corporation, 67 Warehouse Street Rochester , New York 14608 . Online account access and online payment options are available at the resident pay www.mywaterwatchbill.com. Visa or MasterCard are accepted by calling 800-256-9826.
Can I Pay With Credit Card?
Yes, Visa or MasterCard credit or debit are accepted by calling 800-256-9826 or click the resident pay online.
Can My Monthly Bill Be Directly Withdrawal From My Bank Account?
Yes, automatic clearing house or ACH is available. Please click on the resident pay online to set up your account.
What's a Meter?
Typical water submeterA meter is a flow device design specifically to measure usage. Depending on the mechanical design, the electronics installed in the meter's register head allow for accurate readings based on gallons, cubic feet, kilowatts, or therms. WaterWatch's software allows for wireless or hardwired individual meter readings taken when needed.
How Do I Read My Meter?
Most apartments units have a meter either installed inside the apartments utility closet or in the buildings utility closet. The register head of each meter has an odometer appearance; the numbers on each dial is the meter read. Depending on the meters number of dials, a multiplier may be needed, for example: 1,000, 100, 10 or 1
Can I Read My Meter?
Yes, If you prefer you can read your meter and record the meter read by using our online form. You may also communicate directly with WaterWatch to submit you meter reads by calling 800-256-9826.
Who Do I Notify If I am Moving and Would Like A Final Bill?
You may notify the property management or call WaterWatch 800-256-9826 with all final move out information. You are expected pay all utility cost associated with your unit up to your lease expiration date.