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
by Katherine | 16 Apr, 2014 | Latest News, Users Feedback
In the following case, a New Zealander relates how a “smart meter” was installed at her mother’s home while her mother was away visiting family who live out of town – despite the fact that both the electricity retailer and the installer having been informed that installing the “smart meter” while she was away would put delicate electronic equipment in her home at risk of being damaged.
“Just before my Mum left [to visit family] she received a letter informing her a smart meter would be installed the following week and that if there was a problem with delicate equipment and power being off, or the box was locked, she should contact Mercury and arrange another time to have the work done. A friend of mine called Mercury on [date] and explained to them there was delicate equipment in the house, my mother was away and could they please delay installation until she returned home [on a specific date] They said she should call and inform the company doing the installation, which our friend did. Vircom EMS told her they would re-contact my mother after [the date when she returned home] to arrange a time to do the installation.
“Unfortunately at that time I was [away from home] without a good internet or phone connection. I couldn’t get hold of anyone to place a padlock on the box, but we thought our friend had at least delayed the process.
“I subsequently had the meter box padlocked shut and then a few days ago asked another friend to place your notice on the box. He sent back the following email yesterday.
Hi,
I’m afraid we’re too late because it looks like the new meter is already in. [He specifies the brand and model of meter that was installed.]
“To be honest I am shocked that the company went ahead despite the agreement to wait and installed the meter anyway. I’m not sure what I can do about it now but I am very concerned, the meter box is on the other side of the wall where my Mum sleeps.”
Editor’s comment: This report (and other reports I have received) emphasises how important it is to put a lock and sign on your meter box if you do not want a “smart meter” – even if you have an agreement with your electricity company and/or lines company that a “smart meter” will not be installed.
by Katherine | 16 Apr, 2014 | Government and Electricity Industry Positions, Latest News
Network Tasman’s website makes the statement that “There are no privacy concerns with smart meters”.*
(SOURCE: http://www.networktasman.co.nz/Main.asp?ID=17 )
The company further claims that:
“The sole reason for installing an advanced meter is to increase the efficiency of electricity usage in your home and across the electricity network. All meter reading data is in code and can only be read by the smart grid system computers. No other data (eg voice or video) can be transmitted.”
Let’s take the company at its word that its aim in installing “smart meters” is to increase the efficiency of electricity use in homes and in the electricity network in general (as well as to provide a means of measuring electricity consumption in a way that is convenient for the Network Tasman.) Network Tasman is run by a community trust and I imagine that everyone involved with the company is well-intentioned.
However, while Network Tasman may not have an interest in violating your privacy by mis-using data gained through “smart meters”, the same may not be true of other parties who may gain access to data obtained through “smart meters”. Overseas, “smart meters” have been shown to be vulnerable to hacking. (See this post: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/bbc-smart-meters-need-to-be-harder-to-hack/) What’s more, by their very nature, “smart meters” accumulate a lot of data about electricity use, and they are designed to transmit data at regular intervals. This information that can be gained after data from smart meters has been de-aggregated can be quite detailed, as shown at this link: http://smartmeterpowerstruggle.wordpress.com/
Overseas experience has shown that in some cases, data from “smart meters” may be sufficiently detailed as to allow people with access to this information to know what particular TV programme you may be watching. (See: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/is-your-smart-meter-spying-on-you/ )
Suffice, I think, to say that there are privacy issues with “smart meters”, despite what Network Tasman’s website claims.
In NZ, two electricity companies (Genesis and its subsidiary EnergyOnline) claim to own the data obtained by “smart meters” in their customers’ homes and to have the right to supply this data to “third parties”. (See this link for details: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/is-your-smart-meter-spying-on-you/)
Most of these companies’ customers probably have no idea that their privacy (and potentially home security, should this data fall into the wrong hands) is being compromised in this way. What do Genesis and EnergyOnline plan to do with this information? Sell it to other companies, perhaps? This would potentially create a new revenue stream for these electricity retailers.
NB: Genesis and EnergyOnline also have it in their Terms and Conditions that customers must accept a “smart meter”, see this link for details: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/smart-meter-installed-without-permission-headaches-result-smart-meter-removed-headaches-disappear/
Unfortunately, the privacy issues may not go away if the transmission chip (also known as a modem) is removed from a “smart meter” to prevent it from transmitting data (via microwave radiation) back to the lines company and/or retailer.
Many “smart meters” also include an infrared optical port, which generally looks like a red light on the front of the meter. When a meter reader comes to a home or business of a non-transmitting “smart meter” s/he obtains information about electricity use via a connection established between portable equipment supplied by the metering company and the optical port. The information that can potentially be exchanged through this optical port is potentially quite detailed, as was demonstrated by an FBI investigation into “smart meter” hacking in Puerto Rico in 2009. (The hacking cost utilities companies millions and millions of dollars.) According to the website http://krebsonsecurity.com/ the hacking was most likely accomplished by establishing a connection with the “smart meter” via its optical port, after which its software was illegally re-programmed to result in savings for the customer.
I think it likely that when a meter reader “reads” a “smart meter” a large amount of detailed information about the customer’s electricity use is transferred to the company through the connection between the optical port and the meter reader’s portable equipment. Whether this data is as detailed as the data that is accumulated by the electricity company when a “smart meter” regularly transmits data about electricity use (which can be as often as every half hour with some NZ companies) I do not know. However, “smart meters” have the ability to store data, so it is not inconceivable that a lot of data could be transmitted when the optical port is accessed by a meter reader.
Under the circumstances, I think it would be wise to assume that a “smart meter” which has had its transmission chip removed is still a threat to privacy and home security. It is certainly better than a “smart meter” which is transmitting in real time; however, if there are regular patterns of activity in a home (i.e people work 9-5 jobs and leave for work and return home at regular – and therefore predictable times – each week day and/or have regular commitments out-of-home in the evening) these patterns may be reflected in data that is accumulated by their electricity company (or other company that has access to metering data).
I would welcome contact from anyone who has information about technical matters that relate to the topics discussed in this post. You can reach me through https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/contact-us/
*In case Network Tasman Ltd removes the statement from its website, here is a screenshot showing the statement:
by Katherine | 15 Apr, 2014 | Government and Electricity Industry Positions, Latest News, Uncategorized, Users Feedback
If you live in the Nelson or Tasman area served by lines company Network Tasman, you may have read the following statement on the company’s website:
“The requirement for meter replacement is regulated by the NZ Government and must be completed nationally by 2015”
This statement was at the following link http://www.networktasman.co.nz/Main.asp?ID=17 (at the time of writing this post) but an email from company representative Andrew Stanton sent on Monday May 19 stated that the website is going to be updated, so the link above no longer includes the wording.
However, I took a screenshot of the part of the website that contains the statement “The requirement for meter replacement is regulated by the NZ Government and must be completed nationally by 2015” and you can see it at this link:
https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Frequently-asked-questions-from-Network-Tasman-website3-May-17-2014.png
The original statement on Network Tasman Ltd’s website gave the impression that the government regulations mean that existing analogue meters (also known as electromechanical meters or Ferraris meters) have to be replaced with “smart meters”.
However, according to the Electricity Authority, there is no government requirement for existing analogue to be replaced with “smart meters”. The Electricity Authority requires that electricity meters be “re-certified” by April 2015. (See this link for a discussion of this issue https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/uncategorized/is-it-compulsory-to-have-a-smart-meter/. )
As far as I am aware, there is no reason why lines companies cannot re-certify existing analogue meters that are in good working order (or install brand new, appropriately certified analogue meters for those homes/businesses where an analogue meter has reached the end of its useful life.
New analogue meters are considerably cheaper than new “smart meters”. Analogue meters also have the advantage that they can not produce any “dirty electricity”. (Any meter with electronic components – even a “smart meter” which has had its transmission chip – also known as a modem – removed so that it does not produce microwave radiation – will probably contain a “switch mode” power supply and thus may produce “dirty electricity”. )
Some people who are sensitive to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) react adversely to “dirty electricity”. There is also research linking “dirty electricity” to cancer. (For more information about “dirty electricity” please see this link www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz/health-issues/)
by Katherine | 14 Apr, 2014 | Latest News, Users Feedback
The paper at the link below was written by world-renowned New Zealand scientist Dr. Neil Cherry (now sadly deceased). However, Dr. Cherry has left a significant legacy such as the paper below which explains how exposure to electromagnetic radiation can adversely affect people’s health.
http://www.neilcherry.com/documents/90_m2_EMR_Evidence_That_EMR-EMF_is_genotoxic.pdf
by Katherine | 14 Apr, 2014 | Latest News, Users Feedback
A new documentary explores the scientific research linking cell phone use to brain tumours and other types of cancer – and the politics that has helped to keep many people ignorant of the risks of cell phone use.
You can watch the trailer for this visually compelling and informative documentary at this link: http://www.mobilizemovie.com/
NB: Please note that cordless home phones have similar health risks to cell phones, so a corded landline is the best option for phone calls.
Recent Comments