Part 6/9:
The operational backbone of McMurdo encompasses vital facilities such as the Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Water Distillation Plant, which ensures that clean drinking water is available at all times. Given the extreme isolation, maintaining these facilities is non-negotiable for the health and safety of all personnel.
Above-ground piping is a practical engineering response to the heavy snowfalls that bury anything beneath the surface, and insulation prevents water from freezing—a daily challenge in these temperatures.