How to Retrofit Older Buildings with Water Submetering Systems Without Major Plumbing Changes

Retrofitting older buildings with modern infrastructure often sounds like a nightmare to property owners and managers. Especially when it comes to plumbing. Many assume that installing water submeters means tearing through walls, reconfiguring old pipes, or shutting down tenant access for days on end. But here’s the good news: in most commercial, multifamily, or mixed-use buildings across the USA and Canada, you can implement a water submetering system with minimal disruption—and without overhauling the entire plumbing network.
Retrofitting is not only possible. It’s increasingly practical and cost-effective. With the right approach and expert guidance, building owners can unlock the benefits of submetering—including accurate billing, leak detection, and long-term water savings—without the costly chaos of full-scale renovations.

Buildings constructed before the 1990s were rarely designed with individual unit water tracking in mind. Most operate on a master meter system where water usage across all tenants is aggregated into one monthly bill. This makes fair billing almost impossible. High-usage tenants are subsidized by more efficient ones, and landlords are left covering the gap or creating arbitrary allocations that often lead to disputes.
Submetering brings accountability to each tenant’s water usage. It also empowers owners to better manage operating expenses, detect leaks early, and stay compliant with emerging building efficiency standards in both U.S. and Canadian markets.
But for older buildings with dated plumbing layouts, the assumption has always been: it’s too complicated to upgrade. That is no longer true.

Thanks to new metering technology, property owners no longer need to perform invasive pipe replacements. Today’s water submeters come in a wide range of formats—including wireless and remote-read models—that are specifically engineered for retrofit projects.
In older buildings, plumbers and metering professionals can often install submeters directly onto existing supply lines in each unit or suite. In most cases, these lines are accessible behind access panels or in utility closets. The installation process is typically fast, non-intrusive, and doesn’t require tearing out walls.
For commercial buildings, submeters can be installed at the branch line level, capturing water usage for individual retail units, office suites, or facility areas. Remote-read systems eliminate the need for physical meter access, which is especially valuable when meters are placed in hard-to-reach spots.
Companies like WCCLtd specialize in custom retrofit submetering solutions. Their team assesses the unique layout of each building and selects hardware that integrates seamlessly with existing pipes. Whether you’re managing a vintage brownstone in Boston or a mid-century office block in downtown Toronto, there’s a path forward that works.

Every building is different. Some older properties have been updated in patches over the years. Others have original galvanized or copper pipes running throughout. That’s why the first step in a successful retrofit is always a detailed site assessment.
During this process, water flow patterns, pipe accessibility, tenant layout, and pressure levels are all reviewed. This ensures that submeters are installed where they’ll deliver the most accurate data without creating flow issues or regulatory violations.
In both the U.S. and Canada, submetering projects must comply with local plumbing codes and metering regulations. WCCLtd handles this from start to finish. They ensure the meters are certified, installations are up to code, and utility providers recognize the system for tenant billing if required.

One of the biggest concerns for property owners—especially in fully occupied buildings—is tenant disruption. Nobody wants to send out notices saying, “No water for the next three days while we work on your plumbing.”
Fortunately, modern retrofit submetering systems can be installed with zero or minimal downtime. Skilled technicians typically schedule installations during off-peak hours or rotate service among units. In many cases, water is shut off for only 15 to 30 minutes per unit, often with tenants barely noticing.
For landlords, this means the project can move forward without interfering with leases, causing friction, or affecting building operations.

Older buildings don’t always have space to mount traditional meters in easily accessible areas. That’s where wireless and remote-read submeters shine.
These systems transmit usage data directly to a cloud dashboard, where property managers can review consumption trends, generate billing reports, and receive leak alerts in real time. There’s no need to enter units or crawl into basement closets to check readings. Everything is automated, accurate, and stored for recordkeeping.
This also future-proofs your building. As cities across North America push for greater water accountability and conservation, buildings equipped with smart submetering systems are more likely to meet compliance benchmarks and tenant expectations.

Many landlords ask: does it really pay off to submeter a building that’s been running the same way for 40 years?

The answer, overwhelmingly, is yes.

Submetering shifts water expenses from the landlord’s shoulders to the actual users. That alone can save thousands per year in operating costs. But the ROI doesn’t stop there. When tenants are accountable for their own usage, consumption drops. Leaks are reported faster. Inefficiencies get corrected. Utility costs fall.

In addition, buildings with modern submetering systems tend to attract better tenants—especially commercial ones who want usage transparency—and often see higher resale values. In hot real estate markets across the U.S. and Canada, these systems are seen as a sign of smart building management.

Retrofitting water submeters in older buildings is entirely achievable—but success depends on working with the right partner. A cookie-cutter approach will not work. You need a provider that understands old plumbing layouts, local codes, and the challenges unique to aging properties.

WCCLtd has decades of experience helping landlords, building owners, and asset managers modernize water infrastructure without disruption. Their team provides full-service planning, installation, monitoring, and support, ensuring each retrofit delivers both short-term performance and long-term value.

You don’t need to gut your plumbing system to get the benefits of water submetering. With the right tools and team, you can retrofit your older building with precision, speed, and confidence.

Whether you manage a multifamily apartment in Montreal or a retail strip center in Chicago, there’s a submetering solution that fits. And once installed, you’ll gain not only better control over water usage—but also a stronger grip on your building’s bottom line.

Water efficiency doesn’t have to wait for a major renovation. In fact, the best time to act is now—before the next rate increase, before the next leak, before the next billing complaint.