Batesville Water Department employees Terry Smith (left) and Robert Duncan compare the new automated meter reader valves to an existing valve. Workers from Delta Water will start installing the new devices on water meters next week in northeast Batesville. The cylinder at the rear of the valve in Duncan’s hands contains an antenna that will communicate water usage to the meter reader’s laptop computer carried in his vehicle as he passes by.                                                    
The Panolian photo by John Howell Sr.