Water, Water, Everywhere!

Last fall, I was interviewed by Dr. Sine Anahita, a sociologist who is doing a study on water poverty in Alaska. Her study revolves around perceptions and reality surrounding dry cabins, a common situation here. She interviewed me because our dear Solar Cabin is, as many of the surrounding houses and cabins, without running water. Alaska is comparable to some third world countries in this regard. Peter and I both lived in dry cabins when we first came up to Alaska, and chose to live in such a cabin again on returning for several reasons. We have found that given the number of people who live in such situations, towns are very well set up for water accessibility.

Since we've gotten lots of questions about how, exactly, we function in modern life without this quintessential modern convenience, I've decided to write a little about the mechanics of dry cabin living. At least, ours.

Overall, living dry is all about having a system. Once the system is in place, life goes on with all its needs met. When it comes right down to it, we don't really think about it.

[the water wagon]

We bring water to the cabin in several seven gallon jugs from the "Water Wagon" in town. One trip usually lasts us about ten days, and can be run along with any other errand we have. The only catch is the water has to be unloaded immediately on arriving home so we don't have seven gallon ice cubes on our hands. The Water Wagon is a series of buildings around town with several gas pump like spigots. Our 50 or so gallons costs us around 75 cents each trip. There is also a spring in the town of Fox nearby which is set up to serve a similar purpose. We have gotten water at all hours of the day and night, and there are always several cars and trucks filling up.

[Peter prepares to fill ...]

[filling the jugs]

[a ten day supply]

These jugs, once home, can be turned on their side and used like a regular sink faucet. Under the sink is a five gallon paint bucket which catches our gray water. We quickly learned to keep an eye on the water level, and purchased a plant-drip catcher to go underneath the bucket. We use a biodegradable soap, and dump the bucket out behind the cabin. The birds love the food bits that surface once the water is integrated into the yard.

[a well used sink]

In the warm weather, we used the outhouse. However once it got below about -25, we began using our ‘honey bucket’ the modern euphemism that has replaced the ‘chamber pot.’ We bought a hand-crafted wooded one from friends of ours, and it fits in perfectly with the cabin décor. Back when the thermometer was dropping, I forced myself to the outhouse, pretending to be a tough Alaskan! But once I started using our honey pot, I never went back – even when the thermometer snuck back up above 0!

[Duncan explores the honey pot ... before its inaugural use]

Every town in Alaska is set up with various showering options. Every Laundromat has shower rooms that can be rented. The university has several showers for dry-cabin student use. There are health clubs and community centers in town that offer showers as well. With so many people living without running water, businesses (especially in smaller towns) often have showers for employee use.

Unlike third world countries, clean water accessibility here is easy, inexpensive and relatively convenient. The worst part about not having running water is having to walk that bucket into the woods when in the middle of doing dishes at -40.

Part of the water problem is plumbing – there is no way to run municipal water pipes out over permafrost to the populated areas near town. Many homes and families in this situation have large 200 + gallon insulated water tanks in their homes that provide them with running water. Half the trucks around town here have huge tanks strapped down in the bed, waiting to be filled to cart water home, and the water company provides delivery (at quite a cost!) to those who have tanks, but no trucks.

This is how we deal with water up here at Solar Cabin. We hardly notice it at all – except when somebody forgets to check the bucket!