[sirtastic]

> The water situation in Nepal is dire, take a heavy filter with you,

I spent over a month backpacking around the Annapurna region of Nepal without a filter drinking from both stream and well water without treatment the entire time I was there. Never had a problem. If you are referring to water in / around a village you could say water of every country is dire since that water is almost always contaminated somehow. The water coming straight off a mountain is almost always perfectly fine in my experience which is the case anywhere you go. I'll also add I spoke with several people who also went without a filter and drank from both village wells and streams without any issues. Matter of fact I know of no one who got sick in Nepal. I also ate tons of street food and dhal baht from some of the most hole in the wall places, no issues. As always your mileage may vary but I think calling the situation dire is a stretch.

[pg_bot]

You must have incredible gastrointestinal fortitude because I haven't met any westerners who would share your opinion. For others reading this, if you are going to Nepal or some other third world country don't trust the water. Bring a filter and use it religiously, unless you want to spend a day glued to a toilet like I did.