Livingston residents demand opt-out option for smart water meters amid health concerns

May 20, 2025 | Livingston City, Park County, Montana

Residents voiced strong concerns about smart water meter installations and called for an opt-out program during Monday's Livingston City Commission meeting, highlighting the growing tension between technological advancement and personal choice in municipal services.

Several citizens expressed opposition to the city's plan to install new water meters that can be remotely read from a tower. Anne Fuller, a resident of East Lewis Street, stated her firm refusal to have a smart meter installed on her home, citing health and privacy concerns.

"When I lived in Wyoming, the man behind me was the head of Montana Dakota Utility, and he told me, 'don't put a smart meter on your house,'" Fuller told the commission. "He sent me all this information and what it does to your body, your brain, and everything. It spies on you."

Another resident, Arlene Roemer da Feltre shared concerns about safety issues related to smart meters, referencing studies about potential fire risks and health impacts from radio frequency radiation. She cited a 2010 scientific study and noted the World Health Organization's inclusion of radio frequency radiation on its list of carcinogens.

The discussion highlighted the critical importance of providing residents with options when it comes to utility infrastructure that affects their homes and potentially their health. An opt-out program would allow residents with concerns about smart meter technology to maintain traditional metering systems, striking a balance between municipal efficiency and personal choice.

City Manager Grant Gager responded that the city is replacing outdated meters with industry-standard technology, noting that more than 3 million similar systems have been installed nationwide. He explained that most of Livingston's current meters already use remote reading technology that emits radio frequency, with a city employee driving around with a laptop to collect readings.

Commissioner Willich acknowledged citizen concerns and explicitly supported providing choices to residents.

"Personally, I think an opt-out program might help people that don't want them in their house. I'm not entirely sure I would want one in mine in my kitchen," Welch said, demonstrating that even city leadership recognizes the legitimate nature of resident concerns.

In municipalities across the country, opt-out programs for smart meters have become an essential component of respecting resident autonomy while modernizing infrastructure. Such programs typically allow homeowners to keep traditional meters for a nominal fee that covers the additional cost of manual readings.

Gager clarified that the current purchase order is for only 250 meters, with the city having approximately 4,000 utility accounts total. He agreed to research health concerns and the feasibility of an opt-out program, noting that the complete transition would take several years—creating an ideal opportunity to implement a choice-based system from the start.

The commission instructed Gager to investigate smart meter concerns and develop options for an opt-out program to be presented at a future meeting, signaling a potential win for citizen advocacy and personal choice in Livingston.