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EPA Revises Water Submetering Policy

Responding to a recommendation from NAHB, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has exempted multifamily property owners from Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) regulations for submetered water.

Under the new policy, multifamily owners will not be subject to SDWA regulations simply because they install submeters to track how much water is being used by their tenants so that they can bill them for it.

This final agency action will help to ensure that multifamily owners who submeter their water will no longer be considered “water suppliers.” Owners will not be required to obtain SDWA permits, conduct periodic water quality monitoring and reporting, or provide annual Consumer Confidence Reports to their tenants, saving considerable time, expense and effort.

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Although the revisions do not apply to large distributive networks or those that serve both residential and commercial tenants, the EPA hopes that eliminating SDWA requirements from the submetering process will help to encourage full-cost pricing and water conservation in apartments, condominiums and co-ops.

The revised policy took effect on Dec. 17.

For further information, e-mail Christopher Galik or call him at 800-368-5242 x8663.
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