The water sector in Syria is administrated by a number of ministries and establishments, with a slight overlap in responsibilities. These ministries are all represented in the higher water committee, which is presided by the deputy prime minister for services affairs.

There are five ministries  involved in carrying out chemical and biological analysis of ground and surface water resources in favor of the interest of these ministries.

The Ministry of Irrigation and its directorates are responsible for administrating developing water resources, regular monitoring of surface and ground water quality and ensuring the availability of water resources for irrigation purposes. The ministry of irrigation is also responsible for controlling drilled wells, and for licensing future wells.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian reform is responsible for the economic uses of water for agriculture purposes. This include the provision of modern techniques for water savings, and cultivating crops with lower water demands. 

The ministry of Housing and Utilities is responsible for the drinking water distribution networks in urban and rural areas and for domestic waste water treatment.

The ministry of Local Administration and Environment is responsible for monitoring and controlling water quality, and for issuing national standards for the protection of water resources.

The above ministries are in possession of specialized laboratories as shown in following table. In addition to this Directorates of Combating Public Water Pollution in water basins affiliated to the Ministry of Irrigation carry out periodical analysis for monitoring surface and ground water resources all over Syria as well as monitoring the sources of contamination flowing in rivers and water channels and the surrounding environment. This monitoring process includes picking up samples from rivers and monitoring wells spread in the basin, and carrying out physical, chemical, bacterial and biological analysis as well as analysis on heavy metals and poisonous elements. The results are documented at the Director of Combating Public Water Contamination, copy of which is sent to the competent parties including explanation of the analysis results, causes of pollution and suggestions for eliminating them.

Responsibilities in water management