The station has to run on a fixed amount of air and water so efficient, leak-free recycling of everything that flows through the pipes is essential. The station carries its own miniature water treatment plant, which helps to recycle the urine of the crew and return it to the drinking water supply. In the microgravity environment, it's not enough to just lay the pipe and then let gravity or the pressure of the water supply to create flow. To keep the liquids flowing, the plumbing system includes dozens of pumps and fans that create the pressure needed to coax the liquids and gases into moving. For the same reasons, a conventional toilet would not function at all without gravity.
Air flow is used to create suction to pull feces and urine away from the body.
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