Infrastructure in the North

Clyde River, like many other northern communities are not built like how we in the south build our towns. Because of their remote location all building materials, even the wood, must be shipped in from the south, and this raises the cost of building anything considerably. The roads are mostly gravel and mud, with a few paved roads in the larger communities. In Clyde River every house has its own water tank and sewer tank, both of which get pumped every other day. The water comes from a spring in the hills above the town. And the sewer and trash end up in the city dump aways outside the town. It's the norm for each house to have its own fuel tank for its furnace and hot water heater. Houses are built on deep foundations that go deep into the permafrost, the layer of ice and soil that doesn't melt annually. They are also up of the ground to get them out of the massive snow drifts that get over 10ft thick in most winters. It also keeps the house dry in the muddy spring that the north experiences. Houses are outfitted with extra insulation and even have insulation in the floor. Their is very little public transit in the north, partially because the town are so small and people are used to walking. Iqaluit has a few taxis and schools buses, and Clyde River has a single taxi. Electricity comes from a few diesel generators located near the cities fuel depot. The town has volunteer fire department and a small RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) detachment supplemented by locals. Food is shipped in every 8 months in bulk and the planes that come in carry fresh produce every few days.