site.btaUPDATED New Water Pipeline Route Being Built Near Bulgarian Antarctic Base

A new water pipeline is being built in the area of the St Kliment Ohridski Bulgarian Antarctic Base on Livingston Island. The first 150 meters of the new water pipeline were built and put into operation this year. The second half of the water pipeline is to be completed and put into operation by the end of the current 32nd Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition, Assoc. Prof. Boris Tsankov, consultant on the construction of the water pipeline, said.

"The main activities carried out at the Bulgarian Antarctic Base are scientific research. It is necessary to have a well-established and well-functioning scientific structure to be able to carry out these activities sustainably. Drinking water supply is one of the important parts of this infrastructure. The provision of drinking water at the Base ensures peace of mind and comfort for those working and living there," Tsankov said.

"Since last year, I have been replacing the existing water pipeline, which was a rubber hose that stretches when the base is opened and retracts when it is closed, with a small diameter, with metal spigots, when the temperatures drop below zero degrees, the water freezes," the expert said.

He noted that the new water pipeline was laid over uneven and rocky terrain.

The water is drawn from a stream fed by a glacier. It is an inexhaustible source of water, as the past 32 Antarctic expeditions have not observed the glacier retreating upwards, which is a prerequisite for a sustainable water supply, Tsankov said.

The water pipeline operates siphonally, the water level of the lake is lower than the level of the highest elevation by about two metres. This is known in water supply practice as a siphon water supply. Its application is avoided, as once air enters it, the siphon ceases to function. This also happens here, but within 15 minutes, thanks to a pump, the air is pulled out of the pipeline and the water supply resumes, the expert explained.

According to him, the new water pipeline works reliably.

The system works flawlessly and I can guarantee a sustainable water supply to the base, including the newly built laboratory campus where water storage tanks are to be located, he said.

Tsankov added that this year the first stage of the water pipeline construction is planned - from the water intake to the main building. In this way, the entire complex of working buildings will be supplied with water. By the time the new laboratory campus becomes operational, a water pipeline will also have been laid there. Half a kilometre of new water pipeline will be in the base by the end of the next expedition, the expert added.

He said the construction of the new water pipeline has both scientific and educational value. The scientific value is mainly expressed in the way the reinforcement is done and in the way the pipes are laid. The terrain here is radically different from what we are used to seeing in Bulgaria. There we have the so-called "freezing point" - a depth below which we cannot expect the water to freeze. Here in Antarctica, at least to my knowledge, there is not. Even if we could excavate this rocky terrain, we would not find this "freezing point" and that is why in all bases, including ours, the water piping is laid on the ground, Tsankov noted.

Thanks to the entire team at the base, the construction workers, the logisticians and the donors, works on the water supply pipeline will be completed safely and we will be able to report back to  Prof. Christo Pimpirev on the completion of this stage of the renovation of the Bulgarian Antarctic Base, Tsankov said.