URGENT “Smart” water meter alert for Raglan and the Waikato…please read, share and take action. Thank you.
Media Release: Stop Smart Meters, 17.08.2014
Dear Friends,
Please give this message your urgent attention. Thank you. (I do apologise for the late notice in letting you know about these issues; but it has been the soonest I can manage given my workload and the fact that I had very little notice, myself.)
Topics for this update are focussed on “smart” water meters. if you are not in the areas directly affected, please consider writing anyway on behalf of friends and family who are and/or forwarding this email on an urgent basis to people you know in these areas.
1. Waikato District Council to vote on “smart” water meters for Raglan on August 19
2. Matamata-Piako District Council seeking public input into water issues, including water meters: Please make a submission by August 22
3. Hamilton City Council considering Council Controlled Organisation for water services – possible prelude to water meters and water privatisation?
4. Local leaders
5. Links to share
NB: If you are not in the areas directly affected, please consider writing anyway on behalf of friends and family who are and/or forwarding this email on an urgent basis to people you know in these areas.
1. Waikato District Council to vote on “smart” water meters on August 19
On August 19, the Waikato District Council will vote on whether or not to introduce water meters for Huntly, Ngaruawahia and Raglan. The vote will cover not just the introduction of ordinary water meters, but will also cover the adoption of so-called “smart” water meters when this technology is considered cost-effective and “proven”.
I have written to the Mayor and Councillors and believe that everyone in the Waikato region who opposes the introduction of water meters in general and/or “smart” water meters needs to take urgent action to let the Mayor and Councillors know that they oppose these meters.
I have two new posts on www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz that explain the situation with “smart” water meters in NZ and how the introduction of water meters could have negative effects on people’s health. They are below.
http://www.stopsmartmeters.org..nz/uncategorized/urgent-smart-water-meter-alert-for-waikato-district-council-area/
http://www.stopsmartmeters.org..nz/uncategorized/some-ideas-to-help-you-write-to-the-mayor-and-councillors-of-waikato-district-council/
If you could please consider forwarding these posts to everyone you know and encourage people to take action on this important issue, I would greatly appreciate it. Many thanks.
If you email Councillors about the smart water meter issue, please let me know what response you receive. Many thanks.
2. Matamata-Piako District Council is seeking public input into water issues, including water meters: Please make a submission by August 22.
The link for information here:
http://www.mpdc.govt.nz/component/content/article/105-news-a-events/news-a-have-your-say/2455-water-supply?Itemid=647
You can use the information at the links below if you would like to make a submission regarding water meters in general and/or smart meters.
Please encourage friends and family to do the same.
http://www.stopsmartmeters.org..nz/uncategorized/urgent-smart-water-meter-alert-for-waikato-district-council-area/
http://www.stopsmartmeters.org..nz/uncategorized/some-ideas-to-help-you-write-to-the-mayor-and-councillors-of-waikato-district-council/
NB: If you email Councillors about the smart water meter issue, please let me know what response you receive. Many thanks.
3. Hamilton City Council considering Council Controlled Organisation for water services – possible prelude to water meters and water privatisation?
The Waikato Times has reported that Hamilton City Council is considering starting a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) for water.
(Please see this link for details:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/10381094/Smart-meter-move-heralds-user-pays-water
If the experience in Auckland is anything to go by, Council Controlled Organisations are basically “Council Controlled” in name only. There is a risk that once public assets are placed in CCOs, CCOs can later be “privatised” by a cash-strapped Council, thereby robbing the public of utilities that have taken generations of rate payers’ hard earned monies to build up. If you are in the Hamilton City Council area please take note of this issue and start working with individuals and groups that oppose the CCO agenda. Action now may prevent “smart” water meters being foisted upon you later.
NB: If you email Councillors about the CCO and/or smart water meter issue, please let me know what response you receive. Many thanks.
4. Local leaders
Local leadership (by which I mean, people who take the initiative to help other people in their area become informed about the smart meter issue) is needed in areas where Councils are considering smart water meters. If you have even a small amount of time that you could use to help educate people in your area about smart meters, such as by giving out leaflets, running a screening of Take Back Your Power for family and friends and or for people in your neighbourhood, or letting me know about smart meter related news in your region, please get in touch with me coordinator@stopsmartmeters.org.nz. Thank you.
5. Links to share:
Thank you to everyone who is sharing links. Here are some new ones:
Know anyone who likes their creature comforts? Please share this link about how a smart meter may mean they lose control over their favoured home-heating option:
www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz/government-and-electricity-industry-positions/who-controls-your-heat-pump-you-or-your-electricity-company/
Know any nature lovers? Have friends who are members of Forest and Bird? Here’s info about how the microwave radiation used for cell phones and some smart meters can adversely affect wildlife, especially birds:
www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz/uncategorized/exposure-standards-out-of-date-and-inapplicable-and-allowing-harm-to-wildlife/
Neuroscientist Prof. Olle Johansson speaks out about health risks of smart meters at this link: http://www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz/uncategorized/neuroscientist-warns-arizona-health-authorities-about-smart-meters/
Great new videos on EMR and health at this link: http://www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz/uncategorized/new-videos-on-emr-and-health/
That’s all for this update. Please keep sharing links to educate family, friends and colleagues. Your efforts are appreciated.
If you email Councillors about the smart water meter issue, please let me know what response you receive. Many thanks.
All good wishes,
Katherine Smith
My concern is that with the installation of water meters and that The Waikato
District council has an agreement with Auckland Watercare that we will be charged at Auckland rates. This would increase out water bill to $865 for a 2 person household. This is presently $492 per connection which is up from 267.91 in 2011. This represents an 84% increase in 3 years and if water meters are installed and Watercare takes over potentially an over 300% increase.
Yes. Past experience shows that WDC is very keen on ‘district wide’ policies. In Raglan’s case we have a low cost pure water supply from the Rikki Springs, yet we are charged water rates on the same basis as Huntly. The next step in lifting charges for the Waikato Council would be to flow the Auckland prices down from Tuakau to achieve an even greater ‘district wide’ approach. I would be keen on a community group taking over Raglan’s water supply as they would do a better cheaper job than WDC.
Yes I would support a community group to take over running the water supply.