The department is responsible for the administration of the Water Act of 2003 which creates the National Water Authority a body responsible for the overall management and administration of all the country’s water resources. The Act also provides for the creation of River Basin Authorities to oversee the management of river Basin matters. It deals with the management of the country’s surface and groundwater resources (both quantity and quality). It is also responsible for the development and management of all the country’s dams. The department also deals with the supply of clean water and sanitation to rural communities.