The Impact of Precipitation on Drinking Water Resources in the Sagarmatha National Park (Mt. Everest Region), Nepal

High precipitation rates significantly increase contamination in both surface water and springs used for drinking water in the Sagarmatha National Park (Mt. Everest region), Nepal, according to a study published in 2019. Researchers found a strong correlation between precipitation data and water quality parameters like pH and conductivity, indicating that heavy rainfall leads to elevated bacteria levels in water sources. Conversely, low precipitation periods suggest that water handling practices may contribute to contamination. The study also revealed that bacterial content in surface water correlates with altitude and temperature, while springs show no such relationship. These findings underscore the vulnerability of drinking water resources to climate change, as shifting precipitation patterns and glacial melt pose risks to safe water availability in the region.

Nicholson, K. N., Neumann, K., & Sharma, S. (2019). The Impact of Precipitation on Drinking Water Resources in the Sagarmatha National Park (Mt. Everest Region), Nepal. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 11(11), 1351–1368. https://doi.org/10.4236/jwarp.2019.1111078