Peru

An integrated approach to water resource management

On a global scale, water-borne illnesses cause 30,000 deaths every year, and uneven access to safe drinking water contributes to poverty, creates local conflict and reduces access to education – especially for young women. In response, the United Nations has promoted integrated water resource management as a holistic approach that can empower local actors and support appropriate technology.

With this project, researchers assessed the existing adoption of integrated management at the indigenous level in the Ancash region of Peru, as well as capacity requirements and institutional barriers to full adoption. Not only were the communities not practising integrated management, the absence of an integrated approach to water management was undermining health and economic development, and in some cases, social and cultural capital.

The researchers shared knowledge of basic water source protection with local communities. Even as the team sought funding to continue its work, members were establishing links between the Peruvian partners and Saskatchewan First Nations to share ideas of local capacity building. In addition, in partnership with the Federation of Saskatchewan Nations, the team was planning a cultural exchange between indigenous water keepers from Peru and the province.