by Katherine | 27 Apr, 2014 | Latest News, Uncategorized
If you live in Tairua or own a business there, you may have received a letter from the Thames-Coromandel District Council stating that your property has been chosen for a “smart” water meter trial and that any exisiing analogue water meter will be removed from your property and replaced with a “smart” water meter which will be on Council property. The trial of “smart” water meters in Tairua is due to start in May and approximately 25% of homes/businesses have been selected by the Council to participate.
If the “smart” water meters planned to be used in Tairua are the same brand and model as those used in a trial in Tauranga, they may transmit radiofrequency signals as often as every eight seconds and the transmission range may be up to half a kilometer, meaning that people whose properties have not been chosen to be part of the trial may be exposed to radiofrequency radiation from meters on neighbouring properties (or on council-owned land.)*
In addition to the possible health effects from the additional radiofrequency radiation produced by “smart” water meters, “smart” water meters may pose privacy concerns depending on the infrastructure that is used to support their use.
Please read this post for a more general discussion of “smart” water meters (including a discussion of privacy in relation to “smart” water metering):
https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/smart-water-meters-in-nz-the-situation-so-far/
If you do not want to be part of the trial, it may be helpful to do the following:
Email to the Council refusing consent for the following:
1) Entry to your property for the purposes of removal of your analogue meter
2) Radiofrequency radiation to be broadcast over your property by your water provider, including to or from any of your neighbour’s properties or to or from council property
3) Installation of any electronic device monitoring the supply of water to your home or business from which patterns of use of water within your home/business could be inferred, thus violating your privacy
You may also want to put a sign on your letter box and/or water meter stating the same.
If you do this, and would like to share the Council’s response, please email through this link: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/contact-us/
Thank you.
* NB: Details of the make and model and other specifications for the “smart” water meters for the planned Tairua trial will be posted on www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz as soon as they are available.
by Katherine | 27 Apr, 2014 | Latest News, Smart water meters, Users Feedback
Some NZ local authorities are beginning to investigate using “smart” meters to measure water consumption.
A trial was recently conducted in Tauranga (See: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=11106076 and https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/uncategorized/smart-water-meters-being-considered-for-tauranga/), and there was a trial of “smart” water meters proposed for Raglan* (which according to Council, did not go ahead). Another trial of “smart” water meters is due to begin in Tairua, on the Coromandel Peninsula, in May 2014. According to the Thames-Coromandel Council website about a quarter of the homes and businesses in Tairua will have their existing analogue meters replaced with “smart meters” as part of the trial.
The Thames-Coromandel Council has put very little information about the specifics of the trial on its website, in terms of information about the meters and their capabilities.
Information obtained under the Official Information Act regarding the Tauranga trial has shown that the meters trialled (Sappel IZAR CP R3.5 868 MHz) use a battery to produce a radiofrequency pulse every eight seconds. While the meters are battery powered which means that the pulse will likely be lower power than emissions from the “smart meters” being introduced for electricity, the “smart” water meters trialled in Tauranga transmit at 868MHz while electricity “smart meters” in NZ typically use the 900MHz or 1800MHz frequency brands, according to the NZ Electricity Authorrty.) The Tauranga trial tested the function of the meters in transmitting to a hand-held or drive-by receiver.
Technical specs for the Sappel IZAR CP R3.5 meter indicate that its transmission range is up to 500 metres “depending on the environment”. While the trial in Tauranga assessed a system where data was collected by a hand-held device or a device in a vehicle being driven down the road, the type of meter tested is compatible with a fixed “IZAR RECEIVER GPRS/LAN” system which is capable of collecting all the data from the meters, storing it and then transferring it to a central computer system. This potentially raises privacy concerns, since if the meters transmit data every eight seconds, it should be theoretically possible to use the data to work out patterns of activity in a household, based on patterns of water consumption, in a similar way in which patterns of activity in a household can be inferred from electricity use. (See the graphic at this link http://www.smartmeterpowerstruggle.wordpress.com/ for an example of how electricity “smart meters” can compromise privacy, and for a discussion of privacy and home security issues please see these links: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/government-and-electricity-industry-positions/network-tasman-there-are-no-privacy-concerns-with-smart-meters-yeah-right/ and www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/how-smart-meters-can-help-burglars/.)
The French multinational company Veolia has the contract to supply water services for the Thames-Coromandel Council. It seems likely that if the trial in Tairua is successful “smart” water meters could be rolled out in Tairua and other towns in the Coromandel area.
Regardless of the technical specifications of the meters in the Tairua trial, the trial will increase the ambient level of radiofrequency radiation in the town (which would increase still further should the council decide to allow “smart” water meters to be installed in the entire town.) The trial (and any eventual roll-out of the “smart” water meters in the town) could adversely affect people who are sensitive to electromagnetic radiation, such as those who have EHS. (For an example of what it is like to live with EHS, please see this link: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/what-is-it-like-to-live-with-electrohypersensitivity-ehs-one-womans-story/
If you are in Tairua and do not want a “smart” water meter monitoring water use at your home or business, an email to the Council refusing consent for entry to your property for the purposes of removal of your analogue meter may be a good first step. You may also want to state that you do not consent to radiofrequency radiation to be broadcast over your property by your water provider, including to or from any of your neighbour’s properties.
*According to www.stuff.co.nz: “In September last year, Mr Ninnes briefed Mr Allen on WEL Networks’ progress rolling out its electricity smart meter technology, and expectations that every property in Hamilton will be connected to the company’s new network through a fully functioning WEL Networks smart box by the middle of this year.
“Mr Ninnes then told Mr Allen he had just brought together a specialist team to develop a smart water meter “proof of concept” to demonstrate the smart boxes could also support water meters, feeding information directly to WEL.
“He discussed a small field trial of smart water meters connected to Raglan properties already hooked up to WEL Networks’ completed smart network.”
SOURCE: http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/9282623/Water-meters-may-be-closer-than-you-think
by Katherine | 27 Apr, 2014 | Government and Electricity Industry Positions, Latest News, Smart water meters
A 2013 article in the Waikato Times suggests that one reason for the introduction of WEL’s “smart boxes” may be to facilitate “smart” water meters in the Hamilton and Waikato area. Leaving aside the potential health concerns with “smart boxes” and “smart” water meters, introduction of water metering is controversial in Hamilton, due to people’s concerns that it will increase costs. In cities where water meters have been introduced, such as Auckland, water bills may be $80 per month for a family of four – in addition to rates, adding to the cost of living.
According to the Waikato Times:
“In September last year, Mr Ninnes briefed Mr Allen on WEL Networks’ progress rolling out its electricity smart meter technology, and expectations that every property in Hamilton will be connected to the company’s new network through a fully functioning WEL Networks smart box by the middle of this year.
“Mr Ninnes then told Mr Allen he had just brought together a specialist team to develop a smart water meter “proof of concept” to demonstrate the smart boxes could also support water meters, feeding information directly to WEL.
“He discussed a small field trial of smart water meters connected to Raglan properties already hooked up to WEL Networks’ completed smart network.” http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/9282623/Water-meters-may-be-closer-than-you-think
(Site editor’s note: I have since made enquiries about this trial with Waikato District Council and was advised that the trial did not take place.)
If you are in the WEL area, and do not want to have the additional exposure to the radiofrequency radiation produced by a WEL “smart box” you are within your rights to refuse the installation of a WEL “smart box”. For an example of a letter that prevent a WEL “smart box” installation, please see this link: www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz/uncategorized/wel-smart-box-installation-prevented/
For a general discussion of “smart” water metering in NZ, please see this link: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/smart-water-meters-in-nz-the-situation-so-far/
by Katherine | 24 Apr, 2014 | Latest News, Users Feedback
The following email was received in late April 24, 2014:
After receiving notification from EnergyOnline that they were replacing all seven meters on our property with smart/advanced meters, and getting no cooperation from them to accommodate our request to remove the one smart meter on the property and leave the rest as analogue I have spent the last two days ringing power companies.
Contact Energy have agreed to remove a smart meter and to leave the other six analogue meters as they are.
I got curt response from EnergyOnline.
Nova said they were unable to help me.
Powershop were very helpful but could not make any promise to get the smart meter removed although they did say with good reason they would do their best to remove one, and they would not convert meters if the customer didn’t want a smart meter.
Contact Energy, as I say, have said they will remove the smart meter and leave the rest as analogue. The service on the phone (once you get through to someone) was exceptional and could not have been more helpful. Needless to say we have moved our account to Contact.
Site editor’s comment: Even if you have negotiated an agreement with your power company that a “‘smart meter” will not be installed it is a good idea to put a sign on your meter box prohibiting any “smart meter” installation and/or to lock the meter box to prevent unauthorised access. The reason for this is that in some cases, communications stuff-ups (or some other factor) have resulted in “smart meter” installations despite an agreement that a “smart meter” would not be installed. (See this link for an example: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/company-breaks-agreement-not-to-install-smart-meter/.) Once a “smart meter” has been installed, even in error, it can be time-consuming to get it removed.
If you are a customer of EnergyOnline, please read these two posts for important information about the company’s policies about “smart meters” and privacy:
https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/smart-meter-installed-without-permission-headaches-result-smart-meter-removed-headaches-disappear/ (Smart meter policy)
https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/is-your-smart-meter-spying-on-you/ (Privacy)
by Katherine | 24 Apr, 2014 | Latest News
Overseas, mainstream media is beginning to catch on to how “smart meters” are not a smart choice because of the potential risks they pose to people’s privacy and home security.
See this report from Eyewitness News for details:
http://www.wfsb.com/story/24634259/study-shows-new-mdc-meters-could-help-criminals-burglarize-your-home
For a discussion of privacy as it relates to the NZ “smart meter” situation, please see this link: www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz/government-and-electricity-industry-positions/network-tasman-there-are-no-privacy-concerns-with-smart-meters-yeah-right/
by Katherine | 22 Apr, 2014 | Latest News
Before she developed electrohypersensitivity (EHS) – also sometimes termed electrosensitivity or ES – Sarah Dacre ran a TV production company and employed seventy people. During her free time she enjoyed active hobbies such as tango dancing, skiing, hiking and working out at the gym.
However, her life changed in 1994 when she began to suffer from severe headaches, which she initially attributed to stress. More symptoms followed and Sarah sought help from a variety of health professionals – but gradually became sicker and sicker…until she was finally diagnosed with EHS in 2004, thanks to her son and partner going online to try to find the cause of her chronic, and by this time, disabling, illness.
Sarah Dacre told her story to the British Daily Mail and you can read it at the link below.. The good news is that Sarah found a way to improve her health…the bad news is that she has had to leave her home in London…
Read Sarah’s story at this link:
http://emfsafetynetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Daily-Mail-Weekend-27.6.09-dacrepdf-1.pdf
Website editor’s note: Sarah Dacre became ill prior to the introduction of “smart meters” into the UK; however, “smart meters” may be a trigger for EHS in some people, leading the American Academy of Environmental Medicine to call for a moratorium on “smart meter” installations.
See this link for details:
https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/american-academy-of-environmental-medicine-calls-for-moratorium-on-smart-meters/
Health professionals who would like information about the diagnosis and treatment of EHS may find the guidelines produced by the Austrian Medical Association to be useful. They may be accessed at this link:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/87308119/Guideline-of-the-Austrian-Medical-Association-for-the-diagnosis-and-treatment-of-EMF-related-health-problems-and-illnesses-EMF-syndrome
by Katherine | 22 Apr, 2014 | Latest News
The article at the link below comes from a local paper in Canada; however, its message is relevant to NZ.
In apartment blocks or a row of units, often all the meters for the complex are on one wall. If “smart meters” are installed, this means that the person or family whose wall it is has the disadvantage of being exposed to multiple “smart meter” emissions at close range and hence more non-ionising radiation than if they were living in a single family dwelling. They may be exposed to high levels of the radiation from a neighbours’ “smart meters” even if they have chosen not to have a “smart meter” themselves.
http://www.mrtimes.com/news/maple-ridge-smart-meter-opponent-calls-police-on-installers-1.913304
by Katherine | 22 Apr, 2014 | Latest News, Users Feedback
“Smart meters” are often claimed to have environmental benefits. A new article published in the American magazine Common Ground by Jeremy Johnson, who has a degree in civil and environmental engineering, and TV correspondent Regina Meredith explains why “smart meters” are not “green” and do not help preserve the natural environment.
http://www.emfanalysis.com/uploads/1/0/7/8/10781272/common_ground_article_april_2014.pdf
by Katherine | 22 Apr, 2014 | Latest News, Users Feedback
This is a must-watch video for parents (and grandparents).
The speaker, Canadian father Rodney Palmer is giving testimony to the Royal Society in Canada about the experience of the school district where Wi-Fi systems have installed in schools. The school district has ignored complaints from parents whose children have suffered headaches and other symptoms. As Mr Palmer explains, children in the school district have suffered cardiac arrests, two of which were fatal. (Two other children were able to be revived after collapsing at school.) The rate of these severe health events was higher than would be expected for the number of children in the school district.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsPBUuwCfaI
I do not know how the equipment used to deliver Wi-Fi services to NZ schools compares with the equipment used in the Candian schools described above, but if the NZ equipment is similar, it would appear it could be putting NZ children’s health at risk.
by Katherine | 18 Apr, 2014 | Latest News
In the video at the link below Professor Olle Johansson, PhD discusses the health risk from electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and electromagnetic fields (EMF) with a focus on electrohypersensitivity – which is recognised as a “functional impairment” in Sweden.
.
Highly recommended.
http://www.activistpost.com/2014/04/neuroscientist-exposes-dangers-of.html
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