‘Do you have running water? I don’t and I live in Canada’

[Ariadne]

I have no idea how to install septic tanks or a sewer system anywhere, ever. I would estimate I am on the same level as your average Indian lacking clean water on this matter. I am very happy to pay so this great wet stuff mysteriously shows up out of taps. People solve water problems themselves, beyond my experience, completely. Never done it, never will. This is how other people get my money.

So I wonder, Canada, being called a nation of traders and mechanics, by Goldwin Smtih, completely fails here for abos. And I know it's not because of a lack of mechanical ability. There are other political reasons that get swept under the table and fingers get pointed all over. But plenty of money keeps going into corrupt pockets that don't build water systems.

My parents didn't know how to drill a well or build a septic tank and field either, but they read some books, even took a course on sustainable buildings and then they hired some people to come out and drill a well and build the septic field. As I said upthread, there was a lot of iron in the water, so we eventually got a water dispenser for drinking water. Iron in the water doesn't smell or taste very good, but it doesn't hurt anyone.

In the first house my parents built, we had a cistern for water and the water truck delivered water every once in a while. We had to be careful with water all through my childhood.

I really don't understand why anyone would expect a government to solve this problem ... everyone can take the responsibility themselves if they want to.

 

[petros]

Article 25

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

 

[DurkaDurka]

I really don't understand why anyone would expect a government to solve this problem ... everyone can take the responsibility themselves if they want to.

The government has a duty to fix this problem and other similar one's. Hell, we send our DART crews all across the world to set up safe drinking water in war zones/disasters.

 

[petros]

The government has a duty to fix this problem and other similar one's. Hell, we send our DART crews all across the world to set up safe drinking water in war zones/disasters.

Because drinking water has become a right.

 

[Ariadne]

What do you suppose all those people living on acreages outside of big cities do? The government doesn't run pipes to everyone's house so they all have drinking water, and no one expects it.

 

[petros]

You get cheaper property taxes if you are off potable and sanitary lines.

Save even more if no gas or electric or phone.

 

[DurkaDurka]

What do you suppose all those people living on acreages outside of big cities do? The government doesn't run pipes to everyone's house so they all have drinking water, and no one expects it.

We are talking about whole communities here though, living on their traditional lands (reserves), the government has certain obligations towards the first nations and the reserve lands they live on.

 

[JLM]

My parents didn't know how to drill a well or build a septic tank and field either, but they read some books, even took a course on sustainable buildings and then they hired some people to come out and drill a well and build the septic field. As I said upthread, there was a lot of iron in the water, so we eventually got a water dispenser for drinking water. Iron in the water doesn't smell or taste very good, but it doesn't hurt anyone.

In the first house my parents built, we had a cistern for water and the water truck delivered water every once in a while. We had to be careful with water all through my childhood.

I really don't understand why anyone would expect a government to solve this problem ... everyone can take the responsibility themselves if they want to.

Ariadne- You just can't judge anyone else by yourself, everyone's sets of circumstances, abilities, and inclinations are different. Their priorities are often quite different too!

 

[Ariadne]

We are talking about whole communities here though, living on their traditional lands (reserves), the government has certain obligations towards the first nations and the reserve lands they live on.

Why doesn't the community do something about it? Communities spring up around the country from time to time ... they sort it out, don't they? Maybe I'm completely ignorant about the situation, but it seems to me that if a group of people want autonomy from the laws of Canada but at the same time expect to be looked after by that same government when they want something ... it doesn't make much sense to me. People across the country have helped themselves when in need ... why is this situation any different?

Ariadne- You just can't judge anyone else by yourself, everyone's sets of circumstances, abilities, and inclinations are different. Their priorities are often quite different too!

Sure, but if I've decided to live in the middle of no where, it is my responsibility to look after my needs. If I can't, or won't, look after my needs, perhaps I need to live somewhere else.

Out of curiosity, do these same people have internet and cable TV services? If they do, then I suspect they can figure out the water situation. Many rural homes don't have cable TV because it is an expensive and unnecessary service.

 

[DurkaDurka]

Why doesn't the community do something about it? Communities spring up around the country from time to time ... they sort it out, don't they? Maybe I'm completely ignorant about the situation, but it seems to me that if a group of people want autonomy from the laws of Canada but at the same time expect to be looked after by that same government when they want something ... it doesn't make much sense to me. People across the country have helped themselves when in need ... why is this situation any different?

Extreme poverty would be my guess, which would probably prevent the community from building the infrastructure they need. I think that as long as we do have an obligation towards the First Nations, basic necessities such as drinking water need to be provided.

 

[petros]

How do fly in only communities get developed the same way drive in ones are?

 

[Ariadne]

Extreme poverty would be my guess, which would probably prevent the community from building the infrastructure they need. I think that as long as we do have an obligation towards the First Nations, basic necessities such as drinking water need to be provided.

I would need to know if these communities with water problems have internet and cable TV ... because it they have this expensive, unnecessary service, then they have the financial resources and know-how to solve the water problem.

 

[petros]

Yeah by sattelite but the community doesn't pay for that.

 

[DurkaDurka]

How do fly in only communities get developed the same way drive in ones are?

Probably the same way any other remote location gets developed...by plane using modular equipment would be my guess.

I would need to know if these communities with water problems have internet and cable TV ... because it they have this expensive, unnecessary service, then they have the financial resources and know-how to solve the water problem.

Satellite TV signals can be picked up anywhere in Canada, same with satellite internet. It does not require an investment by the user other then the box to receive the signal.

So you're saying that individuals should be footing the cost for a clean water supply?

 

[Ariadne]

Yeah by sattelite but the community doesn't pay for that.

Why wouldn't people have to pay for it? People living in rural areas outside a city have to pay for it ... but they make sure they have running water before they hook up the extras.

 

[petros]

COMMUNITY means through taxes or levees. If you don't pay your bill tfor TV nobody else will. Just like everywhere else.

 

[Ariadne]

Satellite TV signals can be picked up anywhere in Canada, same with satellite internet. It does not require an investment by the user other then the box to receive the signal.

So you're saying that individuals should be footing the cost for a clean water supply?

Satellite internet costs on a monthly basis.

A water well doesn't cost anything other than the initial investment of drilling the well, dropping a pump down ... sometimes 230 feet ... and hooking it up to the water pipes in the house. Yes, I think that many people living in rural areas just outside of city limits foot the bill for water and sewage and none of them have asked the federal gov't to cover the costs. If the Federal gov't is supposed to provide some rural people with water and sewage, then all of course the gov't should provide for all ... but that's a bit silly.

COMMUNITY means through taxes or levees. If you don't pay your bill tfor TV nobody else will. Just like everywhere else.

If I choose to live in the country and I choose to have and pay for cable TV and internet, then I had better be able to figure out how to drill a well and get water into my house without anyone else's money.

 

[petros]

Water requires standards to be met and monitored daily and you need to add chems, filtration supplies, electricity etc. All those cost money. It's not a one time thing.

 

[Ariadne]

Water requires standards to be met and monitored daily and you need to add chems, filtration supplies, electricity etc. All those cost money. It's not a one time thing.

That doesn't happen on acreages ... there's no monitoring, chemicals and filtration supplies. Once every 10-15 years the pump has to be pulled for servicing, but that's it.

 

[petros]

An acreage isn't a fly in community is it?

That doesn't happen on acreages ... there's no monitoring, chemicals and filtration supplies. Once every 10-15 years the pump has to be pulled for servicing, but that's it.

You'd best look into that..