---
title: "Preferred source for hilly region"
subject: "Water Supply Engineering"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_5/water_supply_engineering:hilly-region-source-preferred"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/water_supply_engineering/hilly-region-source-preferred
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Preferred source for hilly region

Water Supply Engineering · Chapter 2: Sources of Water

- Asked in: 2074 Chaitra, 4 marks
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/water_supply_engineering/hilly-region-source-preferred
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/water_supply_engineering/chapter-2

## Question

Among the available sources, which type of source is preferred in the public water supply system of a community in the hilly region of Nepal, and why?

## Short answer

A protected spring is most preferred in hilly Nepal because it flows by gravity without pumping, is clear and nearly bacteria-free, low cost, perennial, locally available, and uses simple technology. A perennial stream with a sedimentation tank is the next choice; wells and rivers are less suitable due to depth and pumping needs.

## Answer

In the hilly region of Nepal, a **spring** (protected by a spring box) is the most preferred source, followed by a perennial stream or small river.

#### Reasons
1. **Gravity flow:** Springs occur at high elevation, so water reaches the village by gravity. No pumping or electricity is required, which cuts the operating cost.
2. **Good quality:** Spring water is filtered by soil and rock, so it is clear and almost free from bacteria. Little or no treatment is needed; usually only chlorination is required.
3. **Low cost:** The intake is simple (a spring box), and the scheme is cheap to build and easy for the community to run and maintain.
4. **Reliability:** Many springs are perennial. Once the dry-season discharge has been checked, they give a dependable supply.
5. **Local availability:** Springs are abundant on hill slopes, while rivers lie deep in the valleys far below the settlements, making lifting expensive.
6. **Simple technology:** Locally available materials and local labour can be used.

Where springs are insufficient, a stream with a sedimentation tank is used. Wells and rivers are less suitable in the hills because of their depth and the need for pumping.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. The most preferred source in the hills is:
   A. A deep tube well
   B. A protected spring
   C. A pond
   D. A large river in the valley
   Answer: B. Springs protected by a spring box are preferred. (Key point: Preferred source)

2. Why do springs reduce operating cost?
   A. They need chemicals
   B. They need electricity
   C. They occur at height so water flows by gravity without pumping
   D. They are very deep
   Answer: C. Gravity flow avoids pumping and electricity. (Key point: Gravity advantage)

3. Why are rivers less suitable in hills?
   A. They have no water
   B. They lie deep in valleys far below settlements, making lifting expensive
   C. They are too clean
   D. They are too high
   Answer: B. Rivers are far below settlements so pumping is costly. (Key point: Rivers unsuitable)

## Related in Water Supply Engineering

- [Sources for hilly rural areas; river vs spring](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fwater_supply_engineering%3Ahilly-rural-sources-river-spring) — Water Supply Engineering, chapter 2
- [Convincing community on water source disputes](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fwater_supply_engineering%3Apre-feasibility-water-disputes) — Water Supply Engineering, chapter 2
- [Intake type for hilly area of Nepal](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fwater_supply_engineering%3Aintake-for-hilly-area) — Water Supply Engineering, chapter 5, asked 2×
- [Typical water supply system and components](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fwater_supply_engineering%3Atypical-ws-system-components) — Water Supply Engineering, chapter 1, asked 4×
- [Water supply system and historical development](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fwater_supply_engineering%3Aws-historical-development) — Water Supply Engineering, chapter 1
- [Objectives of water supply and components](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fwater_supply_engineering%3Aobjectives-ws-rural-diagram) — Water Supply Engineering, chapter 1, asked 3×

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