What is Easy Read?
Easy Read is the Village of Mount Prospect’s automated meter reading (AMR) technology in homes and businesses throughout the Village (does not include Illinois American service area). This state-of-art equipment allows the Village to obtain meter readings without entering your property or having the resident submit a monthly read. Mount Prospect’s Easy Read delivers better customer service by providing accurate bills based on actual consumption, eliminating the need for residents to read their meter, and overall improved efficiency.

How does AMR work?
Every water meter is connected to a small battery-powered device (endpoint) that is installed close the meter usually in the basement or craw space. The Endpoint reads the meter several times each day and sends a brief, low-powered radio signal to a nearby Collector. Collectors then transmit all meter reads to the Village eliminating the need for manual meter readings.

Specifically the Village uses the Badger ORION SE fixed network system, using a wireless fixed network system that has three components:

• End Point: This unit is connected to the water meter and “reads” the meter every hour. Every six hours, the end point sends its information to the Data Collector.

• Data Collector: A total of 19 data collectors are located throughout the Village on Village buildings, street lights, and water facilities. The Data Collector transmits the meter readings to the Village’s water meter reading computer.

• Automatic Meter Infrastructure Control Computer: The Mount Prospect billing software will use this information to calculate the amount of water used and create bills.

Smart Meters and Your Health – A Guide for Residents

Get a pdf version of the fact sheet.

What are smart meters?

Smart meters measure your home’s use of electricity, natural gas, or water. The measurements are used to bill you for the services. In the past, information from the meters was read by employees of the utility who came to your house. Smart meters, on the other hand, automatically send usage information directly to the utility companies.

How do smart meters work?

Smart meters send information to their central systems using radiofrequency (RF) transmissions, based on the same technology that is used by cell phones, pagers, radios, and Wi-Fi. Concerns have been raised about the safety of smart meters, mainly because they create electromagnetic fields, which are considered a form of radiation.

What are electromagnetic fields?

Electromagnetic fields are a basic force of nature (like gravity), that are generated by electricity. They are found almost everywhere in nature where they are created by things such as lightning and static electricity. Human-made RF radiation from electromagnetic fields occurs wherever people use electricity, such as near power lines and electrical appliances.

How are people exposed to RF radiation from smart meters?

The amount of RF radiation people are exposed to from the smart meter depends on their distance from the meter antenna and the power of the RF signal. The amount of radiation given off by a smart meter is similar to that of a typical cell phone, cordless phone, or residential Wi-Fi router. Smart meters typically send and receive short messages about 1% of the time, so transmission does not occur continuously, as it does with cell phones and WiFi.  

Can smart meters cause cancer?

RF radiation is low-energy radiation, called non-ionizing radiation because it doesn’t have enough energy to remove ions from atoms. Non-ionizing radiation can causes atoms to vibrate, which creates heat but does not directly damage DNA. RF radiation is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” This is based on the finding in at least one study of a possible link between cell phone use and a specific type of brain tumor.

Because RF radiation is a possible carcinogen, and smart meters give off RF radiation, it is possible that exposure to a smart meter could increase cancer risk. But to be exposed to an amount of radiation sufficient to increase your risk of cancer to any significant degree you would have to stand next to a meter that was continuously transmitting signals for several years! This is an unlikely scenario, which is why smart meters are considered safe. The likelihood of cancer is just too low.

Can smart meters cause any other health problems?

Smart meters have not been studied to see if they cause health problems. But studies of RF radiation emitted from other sources have shown that exposure to large amounts of RF radiation, such as during accidents involving radar, has resulted in severe burns. No other serious health problems have been reported.

Do smart meters interfere with electronic medical devices such as heart pacemakers?

A study that examined the effect of smart meters on pacemakers and implantable defibrillators found that the smart meters did not interfere with these devices.

What about health effects to children?

While is it true that children are more vulnerable to environmental exposures than adults, there is no evidence that children may be harmed by smart meters.

How do I reduce my exposure to RF radiation from smart meters?

Because low levels of RF radiation have not been clearly shown to cause health problems, lowering your exposure from smart meters will probably not make a difference to your health.

Sources:

“What are Smart Meters?” American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/othercarcinogens/athome/smart-meters

Smart Meter & AMI Fact Sheet as it Relates to Radio Frequency Technology

This page is designed to summarize some of the common questions and concerns surrounding the Village of Mount Prospect’s deployment of an Automatic Meter Infrastructure, or AMI and smart water meters.

Get a PDF version of the fact sheet.

What is a smart meter and how does it work?

A smart meter is an electronic device that measures that amount of something (water in this case) that is used over a period of time.  The device periodically transmits and receives information using a radio frequency (RF) signal to a central location via other low power radio stations, where the data is then collected, analyzed, and interfaced with billing software.  The RF signals in a smart meter are very similar to the types of signals sent and received from a cell phone, cordless phone, or WiFi router.  However, the significant difference is that smart meter RF signals are typically on less than 1% of the time, whereas the above examples are typically used much more frequently, or even continuously.

What is Automated Metering Infrastructure, or AMI?

To ensure residents and businesses in Mt. Prospect are billed for the correct water usage, the amounts must be measured and reported accurately.  The Village has upgraded all of our water meters to an Automatic Metering Infrastructure, which uses a series of smart meters that have a flow meter, a small battery operated radio, along with a network of base stations throughout the Village and a centralized computer system.  All of these devices work together to ensure users are accurately billed and information on usage is used to help Village staff make intelligent decisions about water system infrastructure improvements.

Why does Mt. Prospect want to use smart meters?

Smart Meters are typically used by utilities to both save the fuel and manual effort that has been required for decades to manually read meters.  Essentially, smart meters help to both reduce our fleet greenhouse gas emissions and help us to use our labor force more efficiently, helping to keep utility rates low.  In some cases, smart meters may eventually be used to provide our customers more information on their usage habits, helping businesses, families, and individuals to be better stewards of their natural resource usage.

What is Radio Frequency (RF) Radiation and are there different types?

Without getting overly technical, RF can radiate from a large number of devices that use a wide variety of frequencies, and RF can be broken down into two categories: ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.  Ionizing radiation is what we typically think of when we think of “radiation,” and it is used to generate electric power, kill certain types of cancer cells, produce X-rays, and can be used in a variety of manufacturing processes.  Non-ionizing radiation is typically used for telecommunications (TV, AM/FM radio, WiFi, cellular, cordless phones, etc.) and when used at a much higher power, warming food (microwaves).  We are surrounded each day by a large number of lower power radios that use RF.  Mt. Prospect’s smart meters use the same RF technology that has been around for decades in many of these devices. 

Do Smart Meters emit Radio Frequency (RF) radiation and at what level?

Smart Meters emit non-ionizing radiation, just like your garage door opener, WiFi router, cell phone, or baby monitors.  Mt. Prospect’s Smart Meters only transmit and receive less than 0.10% of the time, unlike your WiFi router, or cell phone, which typically are transmitting and receiving data 100% of the time that they are on (and not in airplane mode).  Mt. Prospect’s meter radios transmit less than one minute total per day.

Do smart meters emit more RF energy than a laptop or cell phone?

No.  According to the Public Utilities Commission of the State of California, “RF emissions produced by Smart Meters is extremely small in comparison to the RF emissions from many other commonly used devices and far below emission standards set by the FCC, which licenses or certifies the smart meters.[i]” The less than 0.10% of the time the meter radio is transmitting, the level at which it produces RF emissions is lower than a cell phone typically produces.   

Does the US Government regulate the RF output of smart meters?

Yes.  The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is responsible for RF emissions and exposure and issues guidelines and limits that are designed to protect both the public and workers that are more regularly exposed to RF energy.  The radio energy emitted from smart meters is a small fraction of the limits allowed by the FCC[ii].  Even if the smart meter were to transmit 100% of the day, the maximum exposure would still be less than 60% the FCC’s allowable limit[iii]. 

What are the technical specifications of Mt Prospect’s Smart Meters? 

Mt. Prospect currently utilizes the Badger Meter Orion series of smart meters.  These meters use FCC regulated Spread Spectrum (FHSS) radios that operate in the 902-928 MHz frequency range (ISM band) and operate at 1 Watt or less of power with a duty cycle (operating) of less than 0.10%. 

Are there security risks from hackers?

Basically, the data that the meters and radio devices in Mt. Prospect homes and business send is anonymous.  There is no personally identifying data, nor is there any sort of GPS/location based information coming from these meters.  While nothing should be considered “unhackable,” there is nothing even inside of the Badger meter data packet that ever could be considered personally identifiable (no names, no addresses, no account or personal data, etc.).

What is the risk of fire from the smart meters?

Mt. Prospect’s smart water meters use a small low voltage battery (similar to what is in small electronic devices).  Unlike many other meters, there is no line level AC voltage present, so there is no risk of an AC electrical short.  If the battery in the smart water meter were to short, it would simply drain the battery faster.

What if I still have questions?

Mt. Prospect recognizes that concerns about excessive RF emissions exist and we take them very seriously.  Our staff, vendors, and consultants continue to carefully monitor regulations, studies, and various authoritative agencies to understand advances in understanding in this area.  While our staff are not RF experts, the following references and resources below were used by our staff and are designed to help our customers develop a better understanding on the effects of RF emissions.

[i] “Decision Granting Motion of Pacific Gas and Electric Company to Dismiss Application,” Public Utilities Commission of the State of California,” December 2010, http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/word_pdf/FINAL_DECISION/127604.pdf

[ii] FCC - Evaluating Compliance with FCC guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields.  

http://transition.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/Documents/bulletins/oet65/oet65.pdf

[iii] Taken from Figure 5 - “Heath Impacts of Radio Frequency Exposure from Smart Meters” April 2011.  California Council on Science and Technology. http://www.ccst.us/publications/2011/2011smart-final.pdf

Other useful resources:

Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) and Public Health - World Health Organization (December 2005):

http://www.who.int/peh-emf/publications/facts/fs296/en/

American Cancer Society – Smart Meters:

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/othercarcinogens/athome/smart-meters

Electric Power Research Institute – RF Exposure from Smart Meters:

https://www.socalgas.com/documents/ami/epri_sagereport.pdf

Health Physics Society (RF Radiation):

http://hps.org/hpspublications/articles/rfradiation.html

Badger Orion AMR/AMI Hardware:

http://www.badgermeter.com/Water-Utility/AMR-AMI-Hardware-Solutions/ORION.htm

FCC – Radio Frequency Safety:

http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/radio-frequency-safety

GENERAL QUESTIONS
BILLING QUESTIONS

GENERAL QUESTIONS

What is Easy Read?
Easy Read is the Village of Mount Prospect’s automated meter reading (AMR) technology in homes and businesses throughout the Village (does not include Illinois American service area). This state-of-art equipment allows the Village to obtain meter readings without entering your property or having the resident submit a monthly read. Mount Prospect’s Easy Read delivers better customer service by providing accurate bills based on actual consumption, eliminating the need for residents to read their meter, and overall improved efficiency.

How does AMR work?
Water meters are connected to a small battery-powered device (endpoint) that is installed close the meter usually in the basement or craw space. The Endpoint reads the meter several times each day and send a brief, low-powered radio signal to a nearby Collector. Collectors then transmit all meter reads to the Village eliminating the need for manual meter readings.

Specifically the Village uses the Badger ORION SE fixed network system, using a wireless fixed network system that has three components:

• End Point: This unit is connected to the water meter and “reads” the meter every hour. Every six hours, the end point sends its information to the Data Collector.
• Data Collector: A total of 19 data collectors are located throughout the Village on Village buildings, street lights, and water facilities. The Data Collector transmits the meter readings to the Village’s water meter reading computer.
• Automatic Meter Infrastructure Control Computer: The Mount Prospect billing software will use this information to calculate the amount of water used and create bills.

Are there any potential health concerns with radio signals?
No. The power and duration of the radio signal is too low to pose a health risk. The products that make up the Easy Read system are stringently evaluated for safety and meet all standards established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Industry Canada(IC), and Institute of Electrical (IEEE) and Electronics Engineers.

How will AMR benefit me?
By ensuring that your bill is based on actual usage, AMR technology minimizes billing based on estimated reads. In addition, AMR improves accuracy, eliminating the potential for human error in manual meter reading and can help to identify any irregularities in water usage such as leaks.

How are meter reads currently obtained?
Residential properties are required to read their own meter on a monthly basis and submit the read to the Finance Department via email, phone or submitted with the water bill.

Commercial properties currently have an automated meter reading system known as Trace installed. Trace was installed in the early 1990s utilizing end points that are similar to the end points that will be installed with the new read system. The Trace system required a meter reader to drive-by each commercial property and interrogate each meter with a hand-held device. The Trace system is no longer being supported and has reached the end of its useful life.

Is my account information secure?
Yes, only meter consumption readings and meter identification numbers are transmitted. Personal customer information is not loaded in the Endpoint or data collector and will not be transmitted.

How will I know that you have my meter reading and not someone else’s?
The Endpoint that sends your meter reading has a unique identifier that is transmitted along with the read data. This identifier is compared electronically to your account record to ensure that the meter reading matches the meter assigned to your account.

Will the radio transmitter interfere with my television, computer, cordless phone, garage door, pacemaker or other electronic devices?
No. The technology operates as a very low-powered signal that is regulated by the (FCC) against interference. It is unlikely that it will interfere with the operation of other electronic devices.

Does the AMR transmitter run on my home's electricity?
No, AMR transmitters run on batteries with a 20 year lifespan.

Will there be any difference in the delivery or quality of water after my meter upgrade?
No. You will continue to enjoy the same high-quality water you have come to expect from Mount Prospect.

Am I required to participate in the Easy Read project and have my meter upgraded?
Yes. Participation in the Easy Read project is mandatory. Meters for all customers, residential and business, will either be replaced or modified. Your cooperation in making an appointment when notified is appreciated.

BILLING QUESTIONS

How will AMR technology impact my water bill? Will my bill go up?
As water meters age, they run slower and under-register water usage. AMR technology ensures that customers pay only for the water they use – no more and no less. Some customers may see an increase in their water bill. This is because the new meter is measuring water usage accurately.

Easy Read minimizes billing based on estimated reads and ensures that your bill is based on actual usage. In addition, AMR technology improves accuracy, eliminating the potential for human error in manual meter reading and can help to identify any irregularities in water usage, such as leaks, before the problem shows up on your bill.

How much will this upgrade cost me?
There is NO COST to residents or commercial properties for the Easy Read meter.

What if I have questions about the last meter read before my upgrade?
Digital photographs will be taken of the last meter reading, should any questions arise. The installer will provide these photographs to the Village and our staff will have this information available to answer your questions.