So here's how it all works: A few hundred yards from the elevated station, a vertical hole is drilled. The first 60' (+/-) is what is called the "firn" layer. This consists of snow and compacted snow. Below this depth, the snow has been compacted for so long under so much weight, that it has become ice. When the firn layer has been drilled, a different type of drill is used to begin creating a bulb. Hot water is sprayed under pressure to melt the surrounding ice. The melt is then pumped up the hole and some is reheated and reused and some is pumped back to the power plant where we have water treatment equipment. Chlorine is added and the pH is adjusted.
Over time, the bulb becomes so large that it is no longer effective to try to get water out. A typical well of this type (called a Rodriquez well) can last 5-10 years. When a well is exhausted, a new one is set up and the whole process begins again. Wanting to reuse every possible resource, the empty bulb is not left dormant. Heated piping from the station carries all sewerage from the station down the gradually sloping tunnels and empties into the former well. This sewer outfall can last longer than the new Rod well.
The utility tunnels that carry all of our fresh water and sewer outfall maintain a constant temperature throughout the year. In the summer, this is the coldest place at The Pole. In the winter, it's the warmest place. The tunnels maintain a constant -57F.
The picture below was taken at the farthest point from the station.
It is now the time of year when our friends with summer-only contracts begin to redeploy. The 60 or so of us who are staying the winter are saddened to see friends old and new leave our community. A special good-bye to a good friend known as "Sherpa".
