Date: Friday, 16 January 2026
Speaker: Gilles Defieuw, master’s student in Geography in a joint program between the University of Brussels (VUB) and the Catholic University of Leuven (KUL)
Topic: Traditional Small-Scale Water Sources in Dhulikhel, Nepal: Neglected by Policies, but Essential for Daily Water Supply
SIAS hosted a Research club session by Gilles Defieuw, master’s student in Geography in a joint program between the University of Brussels (VUB) and the Catholic University of Leuven (KUL) who presented findings from his master’s thesis research on traditional small-scale water sources in Dhulikhel, Nepal. The presentation focused on the continued importance of water sources such as dhara and kuwa for daily water access, particularly in peri-urban contexts where formal water supply systems remain uneven and exclusionary.
Drawing on fieldwork conducted in October 2025 in Dulikhel, the speaker shared insights from approximately 40–45 user surveys across four traditional water sources and 11 in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including ward officials, municipal representatives, and water engineers.
The presentation highlighted that traditional water sources often play a crucial supporting role during periods of water scarcity, disasters, or failures of one-tap household supply systems. Despite their practical, cultural, and religious significance, these sources remain largely overlooked in municipal and ward-level water policies, which prioritize individualized water infrastructure. Issues such as contamination, particularly during heavy rainfall and dry seasons, were also discussed.
A key conceptual contribution of the session was the application of hydro solidarity and solidarity infrastructure, drawing on recent literature. The discussion distinguished between infrastructure of dependence (e.g., centralized one-tap systems) and infrastructure of engagement (e.g., communal water sources and meeting spaces), emphasizing the latter’s role in fostering collaboration, everyday social interaction, and resilience during crises.
The discussion session explored several critical themes, including divisions and inequalities within communities in accessing traditional water sources, and the significant role played by landowners and local actors in their maintenance. Participants also reflected on the intergenerational use of these sources and their cultural and religious importance, with references to Hindu practices and festivals such as Sithi Nakha.
Participants emphasized the need for greater recognition of traditional water systems within urban water governance frameworks and called for further research on resilience, cultural value, and collaborative management approaches.
The session concluded by underscoring that traditional small-scale water sources are not merely residual or informal systems, but vital elements of everyday water security, social networks, and solidarity infrastructure in Dhulikhel.