The cultural dimensions of household water security: the case of Kathmandu’s stone spout systems

ABSTRACT

This article contributes knowledge to the under-studied cultural aspects of household water security through the case of Kathmandu’s ancient stone waterspouts. It asks why and how ‘traditional’ water supply systems persist as a form of water provision, and examines governance arrangements that pose challenges to these systems. It demonstrates that spout systems are critical sources of secure water supply, particularly for underserved populations. Also, the religious, cultural and social significance of spouts enables community autonomy and facilitates their persistence. However, conflicts between cultural heritage and drinking water law and policy undermine spout revitalization efforts and the entire system’s integrity.

KEYWORDS:

• cultural heritage
• cultural politics
• household water security
• urban development
• Nepal

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Dr Aditi Mukherji, Dr Daniel Buck, Abby Snyder, Gyanu Maharjan, Raju Maharjan, Govinda Joshi, Basantha Shrestha, Prof. Mukunda Aryal, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development survey team (Valerie Gamao, Manzari Singh, Mira Khadka, Nabina Lamichanne and Devjit Roy Chowdhury) and all the research participants who made this work possible. We also sincerely thank the editors of Water International and an anonymous reviewer.

Additional information

Funding

University of Oregon Center for Asian and Pacific Studies Small Professional Grant; Association of Pacific Geographers Larry Ford Field work Scholarship in Cultural Geography and Margaret Trussell Scholarship; Wake Forest University School of Law Hopkins Pro Humanitate Public Interest Law Organization Grant.