Understanding high mountain aquifers to source drinking water in the Sagarmatha National Park: Geoscientists Without Borders®

A critical insight from research in Sagarmatha National Park reveals that water contamination in the region is primarily driven by human activities, including poor sanitation and climate change impacts. This study, funded by Geoscientists Without Borders, combines water quality measurements, geological mapping, and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) surveys to assess aquifer characteristics in two communities, Phortse and Lobuche. The findings aim to guide the selection of optimal locations for water treatment facilities and inform resource management policies to mitigate risks from climate change and earthquakes. Unlike traditional solutions that often fail due to complex local dynamics, this project emphasizes an inclusive collaboration with communities, NGOs, the National Park Service, and local governance committees, aiming to empower SNP communities in improving potable water access and resilience.

Nicholson, K., Neumann, K., Gruver, J., Hall, S., Nishikawa, M., Acharya, S., Hayes, E., Sharma, S., & Thering Sherpa, L. (2021). Understanding high mountain aquifers to source drinking water in the Sagarmatha National Park: Geoscientists Without Borders®. First International Meeting for Applied Geoscience & Energy, 1, 3077–3080. https://doi.org/10.1190/segam2021-3581808.1