Do all residences on the reservation have electricity and running water?
A greater number do now than fifteen years ago, especially those in developed areas or near power lines, but because the distribution of homes is so scattered, it is not economically possible to provide power and running water to every location. Many families must still haul their own water from the nearest source. Passive solar energy using solar cells and batteries has been very popular in the more remote locations. For those lacking running water, many Chapter Houses have showers that may be used. Some older Gallup Hotels offer “shower” services in town. Public Schools used to have “shower days” for students from remote homes, but this was discontinued as more facilities became available in the community. A coin laundry is a common sight and gathering place even in smaller communities. An interesting sidelight is that families who do not depend on outside sources of power, best weather long power outages that sometimes happen when major power transmission lines that supply the area
