NOWi Meter Monitor vs WaterSignal

Both attach to the meter you already have, use cellular, and need no plumbing. Here is where they differ.

 NOWi Meter MonitorWaterSignal (Metron)
Minute level data✔ Minute by minute– Hourly and daily, per published materials
Near real time upload✔ Every 15 minutes, configurable to every minute✘ Daily, in deployments we have seen
Self installable✔ Maintenance staff, a partner, or NOWi– Vendor installed and calibrated
No per site calibration✔ Prebuilt configuration library– Calibrated per meter on site
Covers unreadable meters without plumbing✔ Pipe Monitor or clamp on ultrasonic– Typically a new plumbed in meter
Multi year battery✔ Up to 7 years– Multi year, replaced by vendor
Behavior based alerts, not just thresholds✔ Continuous usage detection– Hourly and daily thresholds
Unit level submetering and resident billing✘ Not offered✔ Core business

✔ yes   – partially   ✘ no. Comparison current as of July 2026, based on publicly available product materials and customer reported experience. Confirm current capabilities with each vendor. Read the full comparison.

Why Teams Switch to NOWi

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    Minute by Minute Data

    See the shape of usage, not an hourly total. A running toilet, an irrigation cycle and a burst each look different.

  • img link Water damage prevention icon - NOWi sensors protect buildings from water damage

    Uploads Every 15 Minutes

    A leak that starts at 9 PM is something you act on before midnight, not the next day.

  • img link Leak detection icon - NOWi sensors detect leaks in real time

    Alerts That Catch Slow Leaks

    Continuous usage alerts fire when flow never returns to zero, even when daily totals look normal.

  • img link NOWi Sensors water monitoring system overview

    Install It Yourself

    No tools, no plumbing, no per site calibration. Your maintenance team, a partner, or NOWi can install.

  • img link Property protection icon - NOWi water monitoring reduces property damage risk

    Cover Every Building

    Lower cost per building means you can monitor the marginal properties too, which is where coverage pays off.

  • img link Water conservation icon - NOWi sensors help reduce water waste

    Options for Difficult Meters

    If a meter cannot be read, the Pipe Monitor reads flow through the outside of the pipe instead.

Where WaterSignal Is the Better Fit

If you need unit level submetering and resident billing, or you want one vendor to replace meters and monitor them, Metron is built for that. If you want fast, high resolution visibility into building level water use across a portfolio, without scheduling a truck roll for every device, NOWi is the lighter, faster option.

Talk to Us About Your Portfolio

"For the first time, we have control over water waste. For Edworks, NOWi water metering systems are a no brainer."

Tim Desmond, Edworks LLC Property Management

Common Questions

Is NOWi affiliated with WaterSignal or Metron?

No. NOWi Sensors is an independent company. WaterSignal was acquired by Metron-Farnier in July 2023.

Does it work with the meter I already have?

In most cases, yes. The Meter Monitor mounts on the existing utility meter with no plumbing, and ships with a configuration library covering common meter models. Send us a photo of your meter and we will confirm.

Who installs it?

Your own maintenance staff can install it in minutes. If you would rather not, a NOWi partner or the NOWi team can handle it.

Does NOWi do unit level submetering or resident billing?

No. NOWi monitors water at the building and meter level to find leaks and waste. If billing residents for their own use is the goal, a submetering provider is the better fit.

Do I need WiFi or a gateway?

No. The devices use cellular IoT, so there is no WiFi, no gateway and no IT ticket.

WaterSignal and Metron are trademarks of their respective owners. NOWi Sensors is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by either company. References are used only to identify the products being compared.