Ontario project proves homes can be built and operated without services

"It is possible to construct a quality house with zero utility costs" - Grant Morrison CMHC, Thunder Bay

by Cory Galbraith

The construction manager and a resident check out the solar system prior to installation. Basic power for these units is provided by the collectors, 850-amp battery and 110-volt inverter.

How do you build and operate homes in a remote community with no water supply, no hydro, no transportation links - no services of any kind? Through CMHC's Remote Housing Program, the small Aboriginal community of Koocheching, north of the 53rd parallel, is proving it's possible.

luxury hotels in ManchesterGrant Morrison, Project Officer for Rural and Native Housing at CMHC in Thunder Bay, believes what is being learned through the building of the ten units in Koocheching could benefit other communities in the north that are also without services or roads.

One lesson learned: consider what the local labour force can do before hiring outside. Morrison explains: "First, we had to figure out how to bring in construction materials. We thought about modular homes transported by helicopter, but that would be too expensive. Another more feasible option was building a winter road from the village to the construction site. One estimate to build the road and conduct site-clearing was $95,000, but through contacts in the community, a nearby Aboriginal company, Sandy Lake Development, was able to do the work for only $20,000."

This is an example of a typical house in Koocheching - no services, no roads, and remote.

Then there was the matter of excavation. There wasn't any equipment in the community so Morrison feared the worst - the work might have to be done by hand, a painful and lengthy process. The rental of a bobcat was considered, but Morrison says, "we ended up buying it because the purchase price was the same as the rental for one year." The company that sold the bobcat provided instruction on safe operation and supplied maintenance material.

Independent Water Source

The next step was to determine how to provide water and power to the homes without utility services.

Rather than contracting workers outside the community, residents of the community are taking an active part in the project. Here, residents work on the roof framing

One of the project's ten 1,200 square foot bungalows completed and ready for occupancy. The protrusion coming from the roof at left is the solar array in place

To provide water to the units, the community considered well drilling but the costs proved to be too high and well water in the area is of poor quality. There was the added problem of no electricity to pump the water.

The current plan calls for rain water sent to a bladder tank in the crawlspace with solar hot water heating. Water is supplied to the kitchen, treated through iodinated resin.

How does the rain water system compare to conventional supplies? Morrison was shocked when he discovered that a sewage and water system for a nearby community of 800 people cost in the area of $30 million: "If you can come up with an individual system for each home, you'll save a lot of money. It's also much easier on the environment."

Power and Heat

Basic power for the units is from a solar system including collectors, a controller and an 850-ampere battery with an inverter to provide standard 110-volt power. Morrison says wind generators are being considered for each unit, depending upon future funding.

Heating is through wood stoves.

Koocheching Project Facts Ten units, each priced at $114,000. 1,200 square foot bungalows Foundation: post and beam with adjustable bolts to counter natural shifting Pre-cut walls provided bylocal labour Healthy housing features: no interior paint, low emission materials, oak parquet floors and composting toilets

prix d'hotel a 5 etoiles ArlandastadCommunity Commitment - Key to Success

Technology certainly helped make the Koocheching project a success, but Morrison emphasizes it was the dedication of the community that really made a difference.

The community worked closely not only with CMHC, but with Health Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Ontario Hydro and others. Under the Remote Housing Program, CMHC provides the materials and construction management while residents build their own units.

Video footage has been taken of Koocheching's project and is expected to be available soon.