Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 February 2014
400. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that the water meters being installed by Irish Water operate using automatic meter reading technology do not employ smart meter technology, with its associated health risks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6633/14]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out a commitment to the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies. The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigned the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the metering programme.
The water meter installation programme began in August 2013, and will be implemented nationally as quickly as possible. Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that each water meter has a low power radio unit fixed to the top which enables it to be read periodically from a passing van. This is what is known as Automatic Meter Reading (AMR). The meters used by Irish Water do not currently employ smart metering technology . However, the meters are capable of being integrated into a smart meter reading system, should that ever be required.
Irish Water has procured meters and radio units that comply with all relevant European and International Standards designed to protect the health and safety of customers and the public. The water meters used emit significantly less electro-magnetic radiation than the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) limits (1,000 times less than the limit), producing 10,000 to 25,000 times less electro-magnetic radiation compared to a mobile phone.
