An Assessment of Drinking Water Sources in Sagarmatha National Park (Mt Everest Region), Nepal

A study assessing drinking water sources in Sagarmatha National Park (Mt Everest Region), Nepal, found that while physical parameters met World Health Organization standards, fecal contamination levels indicated low to moderate risk, failing Nepali national standards. The research, conducted during the 2016 premonsoon dry season, sampled 34 water sources and revealed a positive correlation between bacteria content and temperature, as well as a weak negative correlation with elevation. Samples from lower-elevation areas (<3500 m) showed higher levels of Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria, suggesting increased surface water influence in these regions. The findings highlight the potential for deeper groundwater to remain uncontaminated, warranting further investigation.

Nicholson, K. N., Neumann, K., Dowling, C., Gruver, J., Sherman, H., & Sharma, S. (2018). An Assessment of Drinking Water Sources in Sagarmatha National Park (Mt Everest Region), Nepal. Mountain Research and Development, 38(4), 353. https://doi.org/10.1659/mrd-journal-d-17-00024.1