Abstract

Purpose: Mining in high mountain catchments can degrade downstream water quality by increasing suspended solids and mobilizing dissolved ions. This study evaluates how gemstone extraction at Chumar Bakhoor influences drinking-water indicators along a glacier–mine–community transect in Sumayar Nagar, Gilgit-Baltistan. Research design, data and methodology: A stratified design was implemented on 9 September 2024 with nine grab samples from glacier source waters, active mining flows, and downstream community channels. Physicochemical parameters were measured for pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, hardness as calcium carbonate, a salinity proxy, chloride, and nitrite, and interpreted against WHO, PSQCA, and ANEQS guideline values. Results: Mean pH was near neutral at 7.40. Ionic strength rose sharply at the mine, with electrical conductivity peaking near 1,578 microsiemens per centimeter and a cross-site mean of 705.67. Total dissolved solids averaged 278 milligrams per liter and reached 564 to 566 in mining waters. Turbidity was greatest at the mine at 307 to 309 nephelometric turbidity units and averaged 153 across sites, far above potability criteria. Chloride remained low. Nitrite increased at the mine to 0.6 to 0.7 milligrams per liter, while glacier and community waters were near detection. Hardness was very low at about 2.5 to 2.7 milligrams per liter across sites. Conclusions: Mining is the dominant driver of observed deterioration; without treatment and improved practices, waters influenced by mining are unsuitable for direct consumption.