The invention provides a water meter system and method under remote control. The water meter system comprises a smart water meter and a remote terminal; the smart water meter is connected with a wireless communication module, the wireless communication module is connected with a wireless network, and the remote terminal is connected with the wireless network; the smart water meter serving as a client machine comprises a controller; the smart water meter comprises a startup module for running on the controller, and the remote terminal serving as a primary station comprises a reply module for running on a processor thereof; and the startup module and the reply module are configured to enable the controller to initiate the communication with the smart water meter and cause the reply module toperform corresponding reply. The defects that the smart water meter cannot realize the remote monitoring of the water consumption and cannot remotely open or close valve in the prior art are effectively avoided.