Toronto to change 465,000 water meters

Every residence and business in Toronto will soon be getting new automated water meters, eventually bringing to an end the need for city-employed meter readers.

The city kicked off its new automated water meter program on Wednesday.It intends to replace every old-style meter with a new one that will collect and transmit data remotely.

"Under the new system, we will be able to detect water loss in the system, such as leaks, pipe breaks and open hydrants more quickly, which will result in saving water and costs," said Lou Di Gironimo general manager of Toronto Water.

The city estimates it will be installing about 465,000 new meters over the next six years.

The new meters will ... effectively eliminat[e] the need for city staff to enter people's homes to obtain a water meter reading. The new meters will also help to improve water conservation, save in operational costs, and ensure fair and equitable billing for every Toronto Water customer," said a news release from the city.

The new meters are free.

The city will begin installing them in Ward 18 [Davenport] and Ward 28 [Toronto Centre-Rosedale]. First up will be businesses in those wards, followed by about 72,000 households that are without water meters and are currently on a fixed-rate plan. Finally customers that have old-style water meters will get the new meters.

The city says it will notify residents when installers are in the area and leave instructions on how to book an appointment.