The Social Uses of Hot Springs in Mexico

This paper presents some initial research and reflections on the social use of hot springs in Mexico and California, and suggests that cultures of water at hot springs offer possibilities of managing water demand that could be useful for dealing with the current water crisis. Walsh discusses the cultural dimensions of the water crisis, and the proposal that the solution must be one of governance. The prevailing ideas about the management of water have moved from increasing supply to include reducing demand. Water demand management usually centers on pricing and cost recovery, although efforts to cultivate sustainable cultures of water have been made, usually through educational programs. Walsh argue that programs to create a: new water culture” should consider one of the most common pleasurable contacts most people have with water: bathing.
Casey Walsh is Associate Professor of Anthropology at UCSB.

hm 9/30/10; jwil 02.x.10