Water supply and waste disposal on permanent snowfields

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering
• Main Authors: Reed, S. C., Bouzoun, J. R., Tobiasson, W. T.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1985
• Subjects: General Environmental Science; Civil and Structural Engineering; Greenland; Antarc*; Antarctica; Ice cap
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/l85-037; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/l85-037

The snow and glacial ice on permanent snowfields must serve as both the water source and the receptacle for wastes for any human habitation. In addition, the snow also serves as the support media for any structural foundations and hence the thermal aspects of water supply and waste disposal can be critical. Most activity has occurred on the ice caps of Greenland and Antarctica and has ranged from small transient field parties to large permanent facilities in continuous use for over 25 years. Novel procedures to insure the reliable production of good quality water are described as well as the recommended criteria for water quantity depending on the size and duration of the activity. The various methods of wastewater disposal that have been used at temporary camps and permanent stations are described along with the results from studies that defined the fate of the wastewater following its discharge to the snow. Such definition is important to insure protection of the water supply as well as the thermal integrity of any structural foundation. Key words: water supply, water quality, sewage waste disposal, ice cap, glaciers, snowfields.