The Water-Well at the South Pole. Temperature: -26.3 C, - 15.3 F Windchill: - 33.3 C, - 28.0 F Wind: 4.2 knots. Weather: 100% overcast in the morning, with ice crystals in the air. In the afternoon and evening clear and sunny
The Satellite is now up only until 9:30 am, so it was an early morning again to get the journal corrected and posted. At 10:30 am I was able to meet Craig Bell the Utility Chief Engineer (Preventive Maintenance Foreman) of the station to learn more about the water production here at South Pole.
Since we are 800 miles away from the coastal water and the station is located on 9700feet of accumulated snow and ice on top of a continent, the only way to get fresh water is to melt the snow or ice. Since the very first station was in operation during the IGY in 1957, until about 1985, the top layer of snow was melted for drinking, cooking and washing water. 10 years after the second station, the Dom station was in operation, the Rod-Well system was used.
This morning, Friday, was a perfect time to meet with Craig since he was going to do his weekly checks at the Rod-Well instruments and the summer camp holding tanks.
The South Pole Rod-Well Building
This is the Craig in front of the Rod-Well building that is not far away from the BIF. Summer camp is to the right and the darker building on the right back will be the new Rod-Well next summer season.*
The South Pole station has one Rod-Well. It is a similar well as used in 1999. However, it is much improved and adjusted to the demands of the new station. The name Rod-Well is in honor of the person who designed this well: Mr. Rodriquez. His design was used 1985 the first time.
This Rod-Well it is already 524 feet deep (which is an equivalent of a 50 story building!). So we are melting the ice that fell as snow onto the continent about 2000 years ago! It is very pure and has an excellent taste!
**The ice hole well-opening. **
This is the opening of the water well. Notice the two hoses that lead into the 524 feet deep ice hole.*
This is how it works: super-heated water of 112 degree F is pumped into the snow/ice mass with a hose for melting. The melted snow/ice is forming a water reservoir of about 74 feet around the hose. A second hose is used to pump the water to the surface. This water has a temperature of about 40 degree F. It is pumped into pipes that lead to the new power plant. The power plant has the water holding tanks of the station. From there, the water gets divided into pipes going to the main station and to "summer-camp”. Summer camp has additional holding tanks. All pipes are deep under the snow. The flow of the water is continuous and water is taking from it for the holding tanks as the station’s demand requires it.
Weekly checks are very important to make certain that the water used for melting the ice has the correct temperature and that the water in the reservoir deep down 524 feet does not freeze.
Heat needed to melt the ice.
Craig is checking the heating system that superheats the water for melting the ice.*
How many gallons per hour?
Craig is checking the flow rate of the continuous water flow going to the power plant.*
The "Plum-Bob” works.
The bottom depth of the well is checked with a "plum-bob”: a 4 -5 pound solid brass weight is lowered into the ice hole by an electrician pull tape with depth markers. Craig is just about to lower the "plum-bob”.*
The bottom has been reached.
Elke is testing the pull tape also: the bottom of the well has been reached.*
Craig was also testing the level of ice formation on top of the water reservoir by testing the pull tape for ice then he covered the opening.
Covering the well.
Craig is covering the opening with blankets so no heat can escape the well room.*
Next, we went to summer camp to check on the water.
This is the "Ice Palace”
The "Ice Palace” contains the water system for "summer camp”. The structure to the left is a "James way”, a tent-like housing structure.*
Water holding tanks in "summer camp”.
Water holding tanks in "summer camp”.*
UV light to disinfect!
This is a UV light used to disinfect the water while it is leaving the tank.*
Melting snow as a back up.
Here is the back up facility for melting snow. In case of an emergency, snow will be melted right away.*
Another back-up for water
This emergency water tank to the right of Craig is another back up for water at "summer camp”.*
We certainly have enough water at the station. However, preservation of energy is important. We (about 250 people on station as an average) have been using about 34100 gallons of water per week. We are allowed a maximum of two showers per week for 2 minutes and wash one load of laundry per week with cold water. At summer camp, we can wash laundry with warm water. During the winter season with 55 people at the station, 11000 gallons of water were used.
Considering all the effort and energy needed to get water, I think it is important not to take water for granted and help to preserve it wherever we are!
O.K. it is Friday night and all kinds of activities are going on. It is my turn to do "house mouse” work: cleaning the bathroom in my sleeping area. We all take turns to clean bathrooms. Then it is laundry- , gym-, and shower-time!!
Craig told me that he will practice with his band for the New Year’s Eve party. We have a designated "Activity room” for that. In his free time back home he is riding Harley’s! This is his 3rd time to be on station. His 3 children (over 20) and his wife will see him in February! He is thinking of returning to the Pole next summer season. Good Luck to Craig and all who will return next season!