Is self-sufficiency
under attack? I have asked this question time and time again. Like others, we
have all read about those stories of people living off grid being attacked by
the political machine, governments and even neighbors. Of course more people are
leaning more to an eco-friendly lifestyle not only out of environmental
concerns but with major financial benefit it can have in the long run.
I have heard many
different sides to this tale and the sides against are often weak. I mention this to some in urban areas and
often the comments are the same, “You live in the city and the services are
there, and why not use them?” Why not
use them? That does not change the
burden on the infrastructure, the environment or our wallet. Most municipalities, including Troy, NY are antiquated
infrastructures. In Troy you can often
find wooden water and sewer lines dating back 175 years or more. The rate of failure is high and while safe
drinking water is a must whether on or off the grid we have seen recently a
number of surrounding areas that are testing positive for known carcinogens in
their public water as well as well water.
We have seen water supply mains fail causing disruption in services,
property damage and a loss of millions of gallons of water. Property owners pay for water and sewer as a
combined service to our municipality and proceeds are to go for upkeep of that
infrastructure, of which less than 6% is used just for that, hence the
continued failure of the system. Another
fine example is cost, and I am focusing on water and sewer because that is
where most of the arguments seem to be coming from. Recently in budget planning it was noted the
manager of the Sewer and Water Department wanted to raise the water and sewer
rates 100%. His argument was because
residents are conserving more water therefore the department is not bringing in
enough revenue………..I give long pause so you can digest that statement. Residents are conserving more water. What would be next? Raise the trash rates because residents are
recycling more or now home composting?
Honestly if money was
of no concern, I would introduce a composting toilet system, grey water
recycler, methane digester to fuel, cistern and water filtration system as well
as full solar and get the heck off the city grid. Arguments have been out there that you have
to use the municipal sewer. Why? Because it is the law. Where?
It is a health law. How is a
composting toilet unhealthy? The
arguments are weak and short sighted.
The truth is it cuts into revenue for the municipality. Power companies are doing the same thing,
pushing for localized taxing for those on full solar and off the electric grid.
Some say if you want
to be off the grid you need to move to the backwoods and to that I say bull. Technologies out there now can get everyone
off the grid partially if not fully in any area, urban or rural. Zoning laws are the tools municipalities like
to use to control residents, but remember this, almost everyone serving on a
zoning board is a political appointee to help carry an agenda, or know nothing
about zoning in the first place or both.
They base a lot of decision on popular belief, not fundamental modern
practices.
Relying on your
municipality to provide sewer and water service is expected, especially if you’re
paying for it, but should not be your only option as restoration of services is
at a best effort, not a guarantee. Rain
collection, generator, human waste recycling, grey water recycling are all
affordable items that can be installed in your home, usually cheaper than solar
for all of them. Add into that producing
your own food, storage of root vegetables, chickens and other micro-livestock like
fish and you should be able to weather most situations just fine and put
yourself on the path of self-sufficiency and living off the grid, even in an
urban environment on a 120x25 single family lot.
