The water plant. The water plant uses
reverse osmosis to desalinate sea water. It must also heat the sea
water, as it is about 28 F (4 degrees Fahrenheit below freezing).
There are two RO (reverse
osmosis) filter set ups. They are just enough to provide water for
McMurdo at peak capacity. Each can process about 40,000 gallons of
water per 24 hours, for a total capacity of 80,000 gallons for up to
1200 people - about 67 gallons per person per day.
There was
formerly a third RO setup, but it is out of order. There are plans
to install another in the power plant, so that either power plant OR
water plant can provide sufficient water and power for McMurdo in
the case of total failure of one plant or the other. Not a bad plan,
but the plants are next door
to each other - a little more separation might be in order. The RO
(reverse osmosis) setup.
