There are over 7,000 water meters in the Newton Water Distribution system and some have been in use since 1998. Newton city staff says that’s well beyond their useful life. So the city has started the process of replacing the older meters, while installing a new radio read system for monthly meter readings. The system uses radio read end points to take monthly water usage readings, and can collect other information about the water system. Once fully implemented, it will eliminate the need for a meter reader. This will be a multi-year project that Newton Water Distribution has allocated $300,000 per year towards. The first $300,000 purchase has just been approved, and will replace approximately 1,000 water meters and radio read end points.