ABSTRACT
Our aim to establish a new field of water ethics can build upon the already established consensus on five key water values: (1) Nature needs to live; (2) everyone needs water; (3) use water responsibly, (4) participatory governance; and (5) cultural diversity. Next we can propose a detailed set of water ethics not as a global standard so much as talking points to stimulate ethical debate. The field of ethics can be nurtured through (a) broadening the scope of water governance, (b) reframing our concept of water knowledge, (c) making water more visible in daily life, and (d) formulating water charters as platforms for a vibrant ethics discourse both locally and globally.
