FERRIDAY — The final water meters that are part of the Town of Ferriday’s water system overhaul are being installed.

Since starting the project to replace the town’s aging and often ailing water treatment facility, more than 1,600 meters have been replaced on the town’s water system. Most were replaced in December, but several dozen remained to be done.

Ferriday Mayor Gene Allen said Tuesday JCP Management is installing the remaining 72 meters needed to round out the project.

“These new meters we can read electronically, where we can tell the usage, what time they used it, all the hours — it’s amazing,” Allen said.

The new meters are being installed so the town can accurately gauge how much water customers are actually using, something the municipal system’s old meters couldn’t do. Many of the old mechanical meters were broken and residents had to be charged a flat rate.

But with accurate readings, the town will be able to direct the increased revenue to the financing for the new plant, which JCP Management will be running. Allen said the town has already seen an increase in water revenue since the first rounds of meters were installed.

The project is being funded through a $5 million grant and a $1.6 million, 40-year loan through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Ground was broken for the new plant in May. In addition to replacing the meter system and treatment facility, the project includes the installation of new wells, addressing a long-time issue that many have traced as the source of the water system’s problems.

The current system draws water from Old River, which is often heavily tainted with minerals and organic matter. The new wells will draw from groundwater sources.