Modern problems require modern solutions. In today’s Texas, where we have growing urban areas, inherent water management challenges, and a dynamic regulatory environment, water submetering is a significant concern for utilities, property owners, and residents alike.
Ultrasonic water submeters are advanced, sophisticated devices that utilise innovative ultrasonic technology to measure water flow using sound waves. These highly accurate devices offer significant improvements over traditional submetering technologies, delivering lasting benefits in areas such as accuracy, maintenance needs, leak detection and other functionalities, and water conservation.
In this article, we’ll discuss the five best ultrasonic water submeters for Texas property owners.
Why Choose Ultrasonic Water Submeters?
Ultrasonic water submeters are an increasingly popular option for submetering because they offer several advantages over traditional mechanical options, including:
- High data accuracy
- Lower maintenance needs
- Automated data collection and transmission
- Regulatory compliance
- Long battery life
Features Checklist for Water Submeters in Texas
Texas presents unique challenges for property owners seeking to implement water submetering. Weather conditions in Texas necessitate devices capable of withstanding extremes of temperature as well as both wet and dry conditions. Outside of climate, the regulatory burden presents its own obstacles for property owners.
These five areas are the most critical factors property owners in Texas should consider when choosing their submeters, and these are also the five areas considered in this article’s assessment of water submeters:
| Accuracy | Accuracy is the number one concern when it comes to submetering and not just for accurate billing. Texas law stipulates that meters must meet AWWA accuracy standards, with records of testing and calibration to be kept by owners. Tenants can request evidence of this testing. Of particular concern to landlords is that billing adjustments are required if tenants are overbilled due to meter area, conversely, tenants may not be charged for any underbilling that occurs because a submeter is in error. |
| Communications | Your specific property and setup needs communications that work, whether that’s LoRaWAN, cellular, or another kind of protocol. Communications protocols can impact scalability of the metering solution and ease of integration with other systems and platforms. LoRaWAN network is suitable for most of the property types for reliable data transmission from the meter to the platform. |
| Environmental protections | Texas experiences a varied climate with fluctuations in temperature, so water submeters must have the proper ratings for temperature and weather to withstand dynamic conditions over the long term. Ultrasonic meters with IP68 rating are the ones to look for as they work in harsh weather conditions. |
| Battery & service life | A longer battery and service life mean fewer replacements are necessary over the device’s lifetime, saving operational costs and enabling better allocation of resources. |
| Diagnostics & alerts | A good water submeter will have a variety of functions, including leak and backflow detection, freeze alerts, and robust data logging for faster reaction. |
Axioma Metering Qalcosonic W1 Ultrasonic Smart Water Meter
Mainlink’s solution — the Axioma Metering ultrasonic water meter — is a standout choice for water submetering in Texas today. This innovative device boasts several key features that make it a fantastic choice, including its accuracy, no-maintenance design, and long battery life. Its strong performance at low flows, its environmental protections, billing accuracy, and strong integration with smart platforms make this the top submeter for Texas properties.
Key Features
- High accuracy
- Installable in any orientation
- Ultrasonic design with no moving parts for low maintenance and long life
- Integrated LoRaWAN for easier AMI deployment
- Network-agnostic
- Long battery life (16+ years)
- IP68 protection
- Leak, freeze, backflow detection
This meter comes as part of an all-in-one metering solution, meaning you get not just an ultrasonic meter, but also reliable connectivity, a meter data management platform, and a resident mobile app. The ultrasonic meter solution is plug-and-play, enabling simpler, faster installation and full implementation.
Kamstrup Multical Ultrasonic
Kamstrup’s Multical product line is a solid choice for water submetering in Texas thanks to its rich data logging capabilities and broad communications options. Kamstrup meters are an excellent choice, but they can come with higher upfront costs. In contrast, the Axioma Metering Qalcosonic W1 focuses more on competitive lifecycle costs and offers more straightforward integration.
Key Features
- High accuracy
- Flexible data logging and configurable modules
- Wide variety of communications protocols
- Available in multiple sizes for submetering and revenue collection
Itron Intelis Ultrasonic series
The Itron Intelis ultrasonic series offers high accuracy, multiple communications protocols, leak and air detection, and integration with utility billing and AMI platforms. Where Itron excels is its robust, established AMI and billing ecosystem; however, this is less flexible than a vendor-agnostic solution, such as those enabled by the Axioma Metering Qalcosonic W1.
Key Features
- High accuracy
- Good integration with AMI/billing ecosystems
- Long battery life
Diehl Metering Hydrus 2.0 Ultrasonic
The Diehl Metering Hydrus 2.0 boasts an ultrasonic design suitable for domestic and small commercial applications with multiple connectivity options, with an emphasis on stability in difficult water conditions.
Key Features
- Variety of communications options
- Long battery life
- High accuracy
Badger Meter E-Series Ultrasonic
The Badger Meter E-Series of ultrasonic meters uses innovative solid-state technology to provide weatherproof, UV-resistant meters suitable for both residential and commercial settings. These meters are offering good accuracy and minimal maintenance needs.
Key Features
- IP68 protection
- Available in residential and commercial sizes
- High accuracy
Conclusion
The Axioma Metering Qalcosonic W1 is a strong option for Texas property owners looking to implement water submetering across their properties. Its long battery life and low-maintenance design make it well suited for deployments where efficient use of operational budgets is a key concern. In addition, it offers lower installation costs and a simpler, more streamlined installation process compared to competing solutions. Its native LoRaWAN connectivity makes it a practical choice for larger-scale deployments or for integration with existing systems. Robust weather protection and high accuracy at low flow rates further support its suitability for Texas’ environmental conditions and regulatory landscape.
The meter can also be delivered as part of an all-in-one, plug-and-play submetering solution. With the right technology provider, such as Mainlink, property owners gain not only an ultrasonic meter, but also reliable connectivity, a meter data management platform, and a resident mobile app.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
An ultrasonic water submeter measures water flow using sound waves instead of mechanical parts, delivering higher accuracy and lower maintenance.
They have no moving parts, which reduces wear, improves low-flow accuracy, and extends service life.
Yes, as long as they meet AWWA accuracy standards and required testing and calibration records are maintained.
Texas regulations require submeters to comply with AWWA accuracy standards, with documented testing available to tenants upon request.
LoRaWAN is commonly preferred due to its reliability, scalability, and suitability for multi-unit residential and commercial properties.
High-quality models feature IP68 protection and are designed to withstand extreme temperatures, moisture, and harsh outdoor environments.
Most ultrasonic submeters offer battery lives of 15–20 years, significantly reducing replacement and maintenance costs.
Yes, many models include diagnostics such as leak detection, backflow alerts, freeze warnings, and detailed data logging.
Absolutely—especially models with built-in wireless communication and AMI compatibility for centralized data collection.
Its high accuracy, long battery life, IP68 rating, native LoRaWAN connectivity, and plug-and-play design make it ideal for Texas property owners.
