Social, Religious, and Cultural Influences on the Sustainability of Water and Its Use

Abstract

Sustainability of water and its use in quality and quantity and in time and space is closely related not only to technical, technological, and economic aspects and influences but also to social, religious, and cultural aspects and influences. A close balance of both groups of variables is important to maintaining sustainable efficient, safe, and renewable water supply, social equity, public health, and ecosystem as well as minimizing water pollution and depletion. In this chapter, emphasis will be given to (1) detailing the influences on water sustainability and use from humanistic origin such as gender equality, involvement, and participation, unwise water use and overuse, colonization, unilateralism, and conflicts, religion and faith guidance, shortsightedness in water policies and strategies, cultural traditions and customs, and human rights and the ethic of care, and (2) proposing adaptation actions to minimize and/or reverse influences under (3) such as adapting measures for maintaining balance of water availability and use, rethinking water policies and strategies, adapting measures for public involvement and participation in water service decision making including women, adapting behavioral change measures for maintaining cultural traditions and customs and respecting related faith guidance, adapting measures for maintaining equity, equality, and justice in water use and allocation, and adapting measures for minimizing and/or resolving conflicts and disagreement related to water and its use.