Florida court challenges off-the-grid living

A Florida woman is ordered to connect her home to the city's water system after officials deem her home "unsanitary."

Storified by AJAMStream· Tue, Feb 25 2014 14:07:56

Many online criticized the court's decision to issue Speronis an ultimatum. Some believe that the city is imposing an unethical mandate by forcing a resident to purchase energy.

Forcing any citizen to buy a private product is wrong. That would include auto insurance.offthegridnews.com

This is beyond insane and is criminal. So you are a land owner but are required by law to subscribe to utilitities (privately owned?). If you were homeless you are not required by law to use utilities. Lol. This is an insane country and an insane system. Until we put people before profits it will always be a country run by and represented by criminals.offthegridnews.com

Apparently this woman is danger to the community for not consuming public utilities. #Florida #OfftheGrid http://t.co/t5Etkccf8m via @reasonClay Montgomery

Wow..leave the lady be...who is she bothering ?Brad Burdette

Others justified the city's actions:

Good, she was getting an expensive service for free. Sewer is the most expensive part of your water bill.Andrew Spiller

pretty much all municipalities in this country your house needs to have a functioning water supply and collecting rain water doesn’t cut it. This comes down to a health issue plane and simple just like you can’t have 20 people in a 4 bedroom house.offthegridnews.com

It's not a "free country." You're not free to just do whatever you want to do. There are laws and rules to be followed, lest anarchy ensues.Rick Rost

Many who agree with the city's ultimatum cited health concerns that may arise from Speronis' sewer being capped. When asked how she plans to address this, Speronis replied that she will "dispose of waste as dog owners dispose of their pet's waste."

So bagging it up is sanitary? Move out of the city limits and back to the woods!!!Margaret Davey

I think this would all play out much easier for her if she lives on an isolated lot somewhere up in the barren regions of the NW Cape. But she doesn't; she lives in a highly populated area of the Cape, with her nearest neighbor some 20 feet away, with local businesses including a restaurant some 300 feet away, and about 1700 feet south of the Cape Coral Hospital. So as much as I want to raise my fist and say, "Fight the Power," I'm afraid that defecating into plastic bags and bathing with rainwater collected in barrels does raise some public safety issues.Ernie Stewart

Some even argue that Speronis, who says she sometimes goes months without spending a penny, does not truly live off the grid.

If you are using the roads, the sewers and other services ( such as access to Medical Care) , you are not off the grid. Another service the city provides is education of our children. If an individual living within the city can elect not to contribute to infrastructure and services, eventually they won't exist. If the woman is mentally ill she should receive our help. That's another service the city provides.Joseph Connolly

Off the grid is off the grid, including sewer.A. Taylor Musburger

What do you think? Leave a comment below.