Yakutia, in northeastern Siberia, is Russia's largest region and experiences the planet's coldest temperatures.
Many people in Yakutia depend on melted water as there is no other way to supply water due to extremely cold winter temperatures in the permafrost-covered region.
Digging wells is too expensive in this part of the world, due to a thick layer of hard permafrost. Tap water in Tobonov's village—drawn from the mighty Lena River—is only usable for around 2.5 months of the year.
Most Yakut villages have no water treatment facilities, making ice the cleanest available drinking source.
