To provide policy guidance on national water resources related issues and develop both surface and groundwater resources of inland and transboundary water bodies in order to ensure adequate water resources availability and equitable access by all users for sustainable national socio-economic development.

The Department is responsible for the development and implementation of policies, programmes and projects on water resources in order to ensure its sustainable utilization.  The following are the specific functions of DWRD:

1. Construct, rehabilitate and maintain water resources infrastructure in order to harness water resources for use;
2. Conduct exploratory research and surveys on the availability of water resources in order to facilitate their development;
3. Conduct research on water development related issues in order to facilitate evidence-based planning and decision making;
4. Develop and implement programmes on transboundary waters in order to foster international and regional cooperation on their utilization;
5. Facilitate the development and review of policies and legislation on water in order to provide an appropriate framework for the effective management and implementation of programmes;
6. Collaborate with Stakeholders in planning and implementation of water resources development programmes in order to ensure a harmonized approach to Programme execution;
7. Formulate and review water resources development strategy and action plans in order to facilitate resource mobilization and attainment of set objectives;
8. Maintain a comprehensive geo-spatial database on dams and exploratory boreholes in order to facilitate storage and retrieval of information for decision making;
9. Monitor and evaluate the implementation of programmes and projects in order to recommend appropriate interventions and ensure attainment of set goals;
10. Provide technical guidance and support to stakeholder institutions on matters relating to water resources development in order to ensure effective utilization.

The Department  has the following Sections and Provincial Office:
a) Surface Water;
b) Ground Water;
c) International Waters; and
d) Provincial Offices.

1. Groundwater – Undertakes groundwater exploration and mapping as well as developing well fields for multipurpose uses. The section has four  (4) units as follows:

• • Groundwater Development
  • Groundwater Survey
  • Groundwater Exploration
  • Mechanical Unit

1. Surface water – Facilitates and undertakes construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of hydraulic infrastructure such as dams, weirs, bulk water transfer schemes, rain water harvesters etc, for multipurpose uses. The section has two (2) units as follows:

• • Infrastructure Design Unit
  • Construction and Dam Safety Unit

1. International waters –The International Waters Section  is responsible for coordinating the management and development of transboundary water resources, as part of DWRD  mandate to promote sustainable management of shared waters and international water cooperation.  This involves the collaboration with surrounding states in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region on issues relevant to the equitable and reasonable utilization of Southern Africa’s water resources, notably those of the Congo and Zambezi Basins as well as enhancing Transboundary and International Water Cooperation.  The section has two (2) units as follows:

• • Congo Basin Unit; 
  • Zambezi Basin Unit