2.13 - At least 48 hours prior to doing any digging, call JULIE (Joint Utilities Locating Information for Excavators) in order to locate underground utility lines. You can reach JULIE 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-892-0123.

2.14 - Electric power may not be available in a three phase service configuration. If you have special power requirements, it is important to know what level of service can be provided and at what cost.

2.15 - In addition to a monthly charge for energy consumed, the cost of electric service usually includes a fee to hook into the system. Some utilities charge further for the cost of establishing service lines and poles on your property. Check to see what supplier provides power to the area then consider all costs before making a decision to purchase property in the country.

2.16 - Power outages can occur with more frequency and last longer in rural areas than in urban settings. A loss of electric power can interrupt your supply of water from a well. You may also lose food in freezers or refrigerators depending on the duration of the outage. Such outages can cause problems with computers and other home electronics: as well as loss of your heating source. If you live in the country, it is important to be prepared to survive for several days in severe cold without electrical power.

2.17 - Cable television service may not be available or costly to obtain in rural areas. If you wish to have cable television service at your home check with the local cable provider.

2.18 - Natural gas may not be available. Most municipalities have natural gas service for whole-house heating, cooking, water heating, drying clothes and other uses. Rural areas seldom have that service. You could, instead, rely on electric power which is often more expensive (for heat-producing appliances). The alternative is having Liquid Propane Gas or heating oil delivered by truck and stored in a tank on your property. The cost of such fuel is often higher on a BTU basis than is natural gas.

2.19 - If relying on gas deliveries, you must be certain that your supply is adequate to get you through winter's coldest periods when access for replenishing supplies may be limited by weather conditions or other factors.

2.20 - Gas appliances may need to be converted if you choose to use Liquid Propane Gas as your energy source. All gas appliances set up to operate on natural gas will need to be converted to operate on the Liquid Propane Gas.

2.21 - Routine trash removal may not be available in all rural areas. Where it is, it most often requires a separate fee. Trash pickup is seldom provided as a government service in rural areas and is not covered by the taxes you pay. It is illegal to create your own trash dump, even on your own land. Consider the cost for hiring trash removal as you make the decision to move into the country. In some cases, your only option may be to haul your trash to the landfill yourself. Burning of trash is prohibited in ____ County.

2.22 - Recycling may be difficult in rural areas. Recycling pickup may not be available and rural areas have few recycling centers. ____ County does have recycling stations located in (four towns). Contact the ___ County Solid Waste Coordinator for exact locations of the recycling station nearest you.

2.23 - In most cases yard waste cannot be included in your trash pickup service. You should check with the Solid Waste Coordinator on possible solutions to disposal of yard waste, including composting.

-- Jean (schiszik@tbcnet.com), July 23, 2001

Answers

Mandatory trash pickup/recycling is nothing but a revenue generator for governments and the major trash companies (look at their stock prices). ANYONE, small biz or individual, can haul their own much cheaper. And there is no excuse for not recycling, even in rural areas. A lot of people will take theirs in if there is a place that will accept them for free. You should never have to pay for recycling of any kind. You're already doing 70% of their work for them by presorting.

Recycling should be easy. Sort by the number and that should be that, and if the item says it's recyclable, there should at least be one place in each urban boundary that accepts all of them, no excuses.

Our own trash company (one of the very largest ones in the country) whines "It costs more to truck it out than to toss it in the landfill." Gee, what about loading up empty trucks that I often see on our highways and doing it that way? Can you say business opportunity for someone?

It is frustrating when you see other areas that have up to 50% recycling (you can put in styrofoam cups, trays, aluminum foil, etc.) and you have to stop buying yogurt and cottage cheese because you can't recycle the containers in your area.

Sad too, when you realize that are children are being taught to recycle and yet can't practice it at home.

I can't even begin to understand why people would PAY (I mean they pay just to get rid of it)to take their yard waste in to a place which will grind it up into bark dust/compost etc., and then SELL it to them and others at a profit. You should be able to take the stuff in for free. We just let nature take its course with ours.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), August 14, 2001.