ELDORADO AREA WATER & SANITATION DISTRICT
2 North Chamisa Drive, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508-9483
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO OUR CUSTOMERS
Stage 1 Water Restrictions Effective May 20, 2022: As was the case this time last year, the daily forecast over the last two months has been dry and windy with the prospect of significant precipitation seemingly nowhere in sight following several consecutive years of poor snow pack and rain. With no chance of being able to operate our Galisteo Well #9 this summer, the District has concluded that the only prudent course of action is to implement EAWSD Stage 1 Water Restrictions effective Friday, May 20, 2022.
Details concerning water restrictions can be found at the following link for WRAMP. Information has been posted at ECIA and at the Agora. Additionally, you'll find detailed information in May's issue of Water Notes. Thank you for your cooperation!
RADIO FREQUENCY RADIATION
Three factors contribute to the impact of Radio Frequency Radiation (RFR) exposure:
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The energy output of the device
EAWSD radio meters broadcast at between 0.01 to .25 watts. By comparison, a cordless phone operates at .25 watts, a wireless router at 1 watt and a cell phone at 3 watts;
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The duration of exposure
Older radio-read meters in the system transmit for 43 seconds per day, while the new Beacon meters transmit for 4 seconds per day.
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The distance from the source of exposure
To minimize any risk associated with exposure, the EAWSD meters are installed in meter enclosures in the ground, usually in a utility easement by the street. Further, Eldorado homes are required to be constructed with at least a 50-foot setback from the street.
To get into the science of this, exposure to RFR follows the inverse-square law of physics, in which the intensity of exposure is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source. Thus, if you double the distance from a RFR source, the exposure level decreases by four times, to ¼ the exposure level at the original point of exposure. Just a few feet from a radio meter, the exposure level is negligible.
This combination of energy output, frequency of transmission, and distance from homes ensures that EAWSD radio meters are safe. EAWSD meters operate far below federal guidelines and regulatory requirements and maximum permissible exposure limits, which experts agree are sufficient to protect public health with a large margin of safety.
Studies and reviews conducted by objective, unbiased health and science agencies and organizations across the country and around the world show no evidence of a causal relationship between RFR exposure in the range of frequencies and power used by EAWSD meters and adverse health effects. Even though there is no evidence of health risk posed by the District’s radio meters, EAWSD maintains policies and procedures whereby customers can opt out of radio meter installation on their property.