This expedition was a month‑long scientific and cultural journey across central and western Mongolia, conducted by a team of students alongside Mongolian counterparts. The primary objectives were to locate and assess old Soviet‑era wells, test the purity of regional water sources, and complete approximately 1000km of travel—first on horseback, then by vehicle.
The team began in Uliastai after delays due to national holidays and logistical challenges. They travelled eastward across the aimags of Zavkhan, Arkhangai, Khovsgol, and Övörkhangai, relying heavily on Mongolian horses and local rangers. Early in the route, they discovered that most Soviet-era wells had fallen into disuse, with nomads instead depending on rivers, springs, and streams. Using a DelAgua portable water testing kit, the team collected 34 water samples, assessing turbidity, pH, chlorine residuals, and thermotolerant E. coli counts.
Results indicated that most water sources were clean, with low turbidity and no detectable chlorine. E. coli levels varied significantly; the highest counts were linked to heavy livestock presence near waterways. The team frequently advised nomads to boil water before consumption, though boiling milk tea was already a common protective practice. The latter part of the expedition was conducted using a Russian van, enabling coverage of a wider region and access to Khovsgol Lake. Beyond scientific aims, the expedition offered deep cultural engagement. Members experienced the Nadaam Festival, nomadic hospitality, traditional foods, and local customs such as ovoo rituals and livestock‑based livelihoods.