This paper presents a review of the literature related to the importance of including in the water management systems the concept of climatic variability. Several documentary sources were used. Some international experiences were found, where technical and methodological advances towards water management through climate variability have allowed understanding and control of socio-environmental impacts in the management of water resources. However, in Colombia, water management and management exercises do not analyze basins from the perspective of climate variability. Therefore, in the planning, planning and management of water resources, there is a need to update programs and projects related to risk management in terms of natural climatic variability. With the above it could improve the preventive intervention of the environmental authority in the decision making.positively impacts the environmental, social, economic and health area.