Is self-sufficiency really under attack?

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.