The White Falcon - 30.04.1993, Blaðsíða 5

through field-trips, exploration
Water factory tour, zoo visit
make learning interesting
By ,103 Andreas Walter
Iceland is known for its abun-
dant geothermal activity. With
so many boiling hot geysers and
sulfur springs, one may ask,
“Where does the cool, drinkable
water come from?”
The sixth grade class of Mrs.
Susan Ransome, A.T. Mahan
Elementary School, recently
took a field trip to the Reykjavik
Municipal Water Plant in
Heidmork to find the answer to
this and other questions. The
students listened to a presenta-
tion covering the history and
innovations of the water proc-
essing facility and later, visited
the Reykjavik city zoo.
Arriving at the site of
Reykjavik’s sole source of drink-
ing water involves a trip to the
lava fields. Located within an
hour’s drive from the base, the
modem pumping facility is built
into the ground. A mirrored,
glass front greets the visitor but
gives no hint as to what it en-
closes. The lower level walls are exposed
rock, encrusted in salt. The one-meter di-
ameter main pipeline extends through the
entrance room and exits the wall, enroute to
Reykjavik and beyond.
The production facility was founded in
1909 when the first wooden pipeline to
Reykjavik was installed. By June 16, of the
same year, running water became available
to select homes. The water was extracted
from two underground spring-fed basins in
Heidmork, a practice that continued for more
than 70 years.
Technological developments, such as the
introduction of the automobile to Iceland in
1910, posed some problems. According to
Martin Petersen, Public Relations spokes-
man for the company, “The exhaust emis-
sions from the vehicles, coupled with pollu-
tion from coal-heated houses eventually
tainted the once-clear water of Heidmork.”
This required a change of practice. In
1980, 71 years after water first flowed to-
wards Reykjavik by pipe, the company sank
a series of 20 boreholes, ranging from 33 to
264 feet in depth. The wells proved fruitful,
and today, the total combined output equals
286 gallons per second. This water reaches
more than 125,000 people in the towns of
Kopavogur, Mosfellsbasr, Reykjavik and
Seltjames.
Future plans include constructing a second
pipeline to supplement the existing main and
keep up with the population increase.
After finishing their tour of the water facil-
ity, the 30 elementary school students re-
turned to the capitol and paid a visit to the city
zoo, where examples of each animal found in
Iceland, such as horses, rabbits and the arctic
fox, are kept. The day ended with the group
returning to the base, their questions an-
swered.
For those interested in visiting the water
facility or arranging a tour, the phone number
is 9-91 -677650. For more information on the
city zoo, call 9-91-32533/61.
Contact the elementary school at ext. 7412
or the high school at ext. 7008 for more
information on upcoming field trips.
April 30,1993
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