ABSTRACT
Chapter 4 defines and discusses the concept of ‘hydromentality’, which it uses to explore ways of understanding, defining, and governing water within the frames of historical paradigms and in different geographical locations. The chapter outlines the shifts from the so-called hydraulic mission to what this book terms neoliberal hydromentality. It provides insights into different water governance systems through building on literature that analyses different governmentalities of water in countries such as Ecuador, India, China, Niger, and Indonesia. It focuses on the particular hydromentality of eThekwini municipality in South Africa, one of the most contested sites when assessing the progress of South African water regulation. The chapter describes the hydromentality and practices of eThekwini, characterized by the notion of water as a right and as a commodity, by the distinctions made between different water users and service levels, and by the use of consultation, communication, and education to promote a particular understanding of water and the challenges involved in its management.
