Because rivers and oceans are connected, environmental problems like the runoff of chemical and organic waste
from industries (i.e. mining) and domestic use, negatively affect aquatic ecosystems [28]. Therefore, water carrying
capacity, supplied potential, and human impacts are all important factors to consider when making water
management policies. IWRM approach should not only apply to regions and basins, but also slopes, watersheds and
estuaries, as they are also part of aquatic ecosystems [29]. However, in Peru the IWRM of basins is a relatively new
approach [30]; [31]. While it has not yet been fully implement or adapted in the whole country, it has been
suggested as a wider and more efficient management (i.e., Mantaro basin in Junin, Huancavelica, Pasco and
Ayacucho departments, introduced a new coordinated project to clean the water from mining, agricultural and
domestic wastes) than departmental self-management (i.e., Mantaro Valley in Junin department, where many mines
are located and also an important hydroelectric center).
In Peru IWRM approach has been mentioned by many institutions, nevertheless, either the concept or its
importance has not been fully developed. Even though the study of aquatic ecosystems points to the fact that water
resources are interconnected, people have not yet fully recognized the damage that their waste causes to nature (i.e.,
mining companies’ mercury waste run-off that affects domestic water supply). Therefore, a shared knowledge of the
national situation is needed for a more responsible and efficient use of water. People need to understand that their
actions have consequences and that their waste affects the entire water system since the water resources are linked
by precipitation and evapotranspiration (ET), superficial and ground interconnections.