NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) - Starting tomorrow, the water company serving Norristown (Montgomery County) rolls out the final phase of automated water meter reading devices in the borough.

Pennsylvania American Water Company is spending nearly $800,000 to upgrade the remaining 6,900 meters for customers in Norristown. The devices use radio frequency technology to record and then report water usage every month.

Pennsylvania American Water spokesman Terry Maenza says the switchover to the automated devices will make the company more efficient.

“Our meter readers will no longer have to access the customers property,” he told KYW Newsradio this morning.  “We’re able to read water meters remotely from the curb — really, from our vehicles.  In addition, we can eliminate ‘estimated’ water bills.”

A private contractor (Kentrel Inc.) will be doing the installation work, which is expected to take 15 to 30 minutes per home. Maenza reminds customers to make sure they check the installer’s photo identification when they arrive at their home.

Reported by Brad Segall, KYW Newsradio 1060.