Code Water Meters: Pay First, Use Later
Oct. 12, 2026
In traditional water supply management, "use first, pay later" has long been the standard practice, but it brings along issues such as overdue payment collection, door-to-door meter reading, and settlement difficulties when tenants change. The emergence of code water meters combines metering and billing into one, shifting water management from passive collection to active control. Leveraging its mature pipeline product supply chain, SOLID (Shanxi Solid Industrial Co., Ltd.) can provide supporting selection services for code water meters, meeting the needs of integrated metering and billing in water supply management.
1. What Is a Code-Based Water Meter
A code water meter is a compact metering instrument that integrates mechanical flow measurement with a prepaid code control device. Its core working mechanism is as follows: users purchase a certain volume of water in the form of an encrypted code from the water supply management authority, enter it via the keypad on the meter, and after the controller decrypts and verifies the code's validity, the electric valve opens to allow water use; when the prepaid volume is exhausted, the valve closes automatically, and the user must purchase another code to continue using water.
This "pay first, use later" model fundamentally eliminates the difficulty of overdue payment collection under traditional post-payment models, making it particularly suitable for rental housing, apartments, and temporary water use scenarios.
2. How Anti-Counterfeiting and Security Are Achieved
The security foundation of code water meters lies in encryption algorithms. The system utilizes DES encryption technology, where data codes are automatically generated by a computer based on established encryption rules. Each code entered by the user is subject to dynamic key verification. Because there is no data exchange carrier, these codes cannot be illegally copied or forged.
At the hardware level, water meters typically feature multiple protection mechanisms: after several consecutive incorrect code entries, the control system shuts down completely and requires management authority to unlock; the meter body uses an integrated sealed design, and forced disassembly triggers anti-theft valve closure; it also withstands external magnetic field and electrical current interference.
3. Core Functional Features
The functional design of code water meters revolves around two dimensions: convenient management?and user autonomy.
Emergency overdraft function. The management authority can preset a certain overdraft allowance. When the user's balance is exhausted and a code cannot be purchased temporarily, the overdraft function can be activated to continue water use, with subsequent purchases prioritizing deduction of the overdraft amount.
LCD query and prompts. Users can check cumulative usage, purchase count, current balance, and latest purchase volume at any time via keypad; the system also provides prompts for input errors, low battery, and valve status.
Low-power design. Static operation power-off technology is adopted, automatically entering sleep mode when idle, powered by a 3.6V lithium battery to ensure long-term stable operation.
4. Materials and Application Scenarios
The housing of code water meters is typically made of copper or cast iron, with the internal movement using a liquid-sealed or dry-type mechanical metering structure, and the electrical components complying with relevant industry standards. Typical application scenarios include:
Rental Housing and Apartments. The code-based prepaid model effectively solves water bill settlement difficulties when tenants change. Landlords avoid door-to-door meter reading, and tenants can control water use independently by purchasing codes.
Municipal Water Supply and Rural Drinking Water Projects. In water supply projects requiring prepaid management, code water meters enable refined management of "pay first, supply later," reducing water fee collection costs.
Temporary Water Use and Holiday Properties. For intermittent water use scenarios such as vacation homes and temporary construction sites, code water meters eliminate monthly meter reading, allowing users to purchase as needed.
5. From Metering Terminal to System Integration
The value of a code water meter extends beyond being a standalone metering instrument. In actual water supply projects, water meters need to work in coordination with valves, pipe fittings, flanges, and other pipeline components. Any specification mismatch in any link can affect the overall system's operating efficiency.
SOLID's positioning is precisely that of a supplier of integrated pipeline system solutions. The company has long exported ductile iron pipe fittings, carbon steel pipe fittings, stainless steel pipe fittings, valves, and flanges, and is familiar with water quality conditions, pressure ratings, and installation standards in different countries and regions. On this basis, SOLID can provide coordinated selection recommendations?for water meters and pipeline components, helping project owners reduce communication costs and specification conflict risks associated with multi-source procurement.
For customers planning smart water or prepaid renovation projects, SOLID can assist in confirming the appropriate specifications of code water meters according to the project country's power supply environment, communication methods, and settlement models, and provide supporting supply solutions with other pipeline products.
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