Utility Systems
Self-sufficiency starts with providing all essential utilities without any outside system connections. Living ‘off grid’ truly frees the spirit and strengthens the personal connection with the earth. This does not mean any creature comforts need be sacrificed.
With rainwater tank capture systems, on site bores, and technology that takes water from the air, Hemp Town communities can provide their own water in virtually any location.
Power will come from solar PV arrays on worker’s homes as well as the main facility buildings. With efficient lighting, appliances, and passive solar design of buildings, the overall power loads are reduced, and most communities will be able to provide all their power with PV systems. Additional battery storage systems that can cover power requirements when there is no sun are becoming more and more affordable especially at larger scale. In addition, small scale hydro-electric and wind turbines can provide the majority, or additional power depending on the Hemp Town community’s location.
As these communities are envisioned to be made up of one, or two-story buildings on rural land, there will be ample space for on site sewerage treatment systems. Most of the worker’s accommodations will have composting toilets, or local sewerage treatment systems. The main facilities will have their own larger scale systems with on-site disbursement of treated sewerage. Contrary to popular belief, the resulting effluent is virtually drinkable and will be used for irrigation of landscaping and/or food crops that like this kind of treated water.
Waste disposal is also a key area of self-sufficiency. With onsite food production providing the vast majority of Hemp Town’s needs, packaging is at a minimum, and food scraps are composted. Biodegradable packaging will be mandatory on site for all commercial businesses, and reusable containers will be provided and available to further reduce packaging waste. The goal will be to have on site composting of all community generated waste eliminating the need for rubbish removal, and providing fertiliser for the on-site food production. The Woodford folk festival attracts over 100,000 visitors over a week period in Queensland, Australia every year. They compost 100% of the rubbish generated on site every year. By controlling the packaging, cups, and utensils of the vendors, they are able to ensure everything thrown away is biodegradable. This is the basis of the Hemp Town waste disposal philosophy. The Woodford folk festival embodies many of the ideals of Hemp Town. have a look.
These systems are already economical at this scale with the key being no connections to Council utility systems as any connection becomes costly due to the infrastructure involved. The communities’ only connection will be for telephone and internet. Ideally, this is a single, high speed connection which is then dispersed throughout the community using readily available local wireless technology.
