Opting out of Winnipeg’s new smart meters carries cost

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/02/2024 (613 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeggers will have the choice to opt out of using smart water meters when the devices arrive in the city — but that will come with a price.

A new public service report notes the City of Winnipeg is planning a program to let ratepayers opt out of the radio-frequency transmitter element of the new meters. All other residents will receive devices that can be read remotely using radio transmitters.

Those who opt out of the smart reading system can expect to pay an unspecified fee to continue receiving manual water readings after all devices are replaced.

“The issue is do we disable the (signal)… I have some sympathy for that (request). But, on the other hand, you’re going to have to pay to satisfy that,” said Coun. Brian Mayes, chairman of council’s water and waste committee.

The overall $135-million water meter renewal project, which still requires some funding in the 2024 to 2027 budget, is set to add new meters from 2025 to 2029.

The city expects the new smart meters will provide more accurate and timely readings and help the city quickly detect leaks that could otherwise drive up water bills unexpectedly.

However, the plan attracted some opposition from people who don’t allow radio-frequency signals in their homes because they believe the technology creates health risks.

“This was a pretty persistent group… Those who were opposed really wanted some sort of option. Hopefully, this will deal with at least some of those concerns,” said Mayes.

The city report suggests the opt-out program would remove that connection for users due to privacy, health or other concerns, though such customers would be required to pay for manual readings.

Staff say it’s too soon to determine how much that fee would be, though a chart notes other Canadian cities charge between $100 and $600 per year.

Margaret Friesen, a resident who asked for the opt-out option, said she’s pleased the city plans to offer one but is concerned about the potential cost to use it.

She argues those with medical exemptions, which the city says would require a doctor’s note, shouldn’t pay a fee to use the option.

Friesen said others should have the fee linked to their income level.

“For people on a low income, there (should) not be an excessive burden. Ideally, we’d like it all to (come with) no fee but, if there is a fee, it should be on a sliding scale,” she said.

Friesen believes there is evidence of adverse health effects from such systems, a matter she claims Health Canada has not sufficiently studied.

“There’s evidence that there’s adverse health effects on people … (and) the anecdotal evidence is really strong. There are people around the world, and in Canada and locally, who have reported that this has made them ill,” she said.

Reports of illness included headaches, sleep difficulties, ear ringing, nausea and other ailments, she said in a presentation at City Hall last fall.

The city report notes Health Canada deems smart meters safe.

“There are no health risks from exposure to radio-frequency (electromagnetic fields) from smart meters. These devices must meet standards to ensure they do not exceed radio-frequency EMF exposure limits,” the agency’s website states.

In an email, a water and waste spokeswoman said it’s expected to take years to determine the final details of the opt-out program.

“The details of the program will be determined closer to substantial completion of the project, which is expected to be in 2029. Customers choosing to opt-out of the radio or cellular transmitter will still be required to have a new manual-read, non-radio-frequency/non-cellular water meter installed,” wrote Lisa Marquardson.

She noted no decision has been made on whether those with a medical exemption will be charged the fee.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

X: @joyanne_pursaga