The Environmental and Social Division (ESD) of National Water Supply & Drainage Board is headed by the Deputy General Manager (Environmental and Social) who reports to the Additional General Manager (Policy & Planning).

The Environmental and Social Division (ESD) comprises five key subject areas:

1. Water Resources & Environment
2. Groundwater Resources and Investigation
3. Social Safeguards, Social Inclusiveness, and WASH
4. Research & Development
5. Corporate Communication Unit

Each section, except the Corporate Communication Unit, is led by an AGM who reports to the DGM (Environmental and Social). The Corporate Communication Unit is headed by a manager, also reporting to the DGM.

What we do – ESD works towards the environmental sustainability and social responsibility into all key areas of NWSDB in planning, designing, construction and operational activities focusing on safeguarding water quality, ensuring water quantity, integrating disaster and climate resilience, environmental and social safeguard while recognizing the importance of gender inclusiveness.

The key functions of the ESD are outlined below. Please refer relevant key section for  Groundwater Resources and Investigation, Research & Development Section and Corporate Communication Unit.

Key Functions:

1. Overall coordination of the Environmental Social Institutional Framework (ESIF).
2. Support overall coordination at national level with relevant stakeholders for Water Allocation and Sharing, Water Safety Plans, Disaster Management, Environmental Conservation, Climate Resilience and Community/Social engagement.
3. Monitoring Water Safety Plans and attending Water Safety Audits to ensure safe drinking water.
4. Support Social Safeguards, Social inclusiveness and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH).
5. Contribution in policy development pertaining to Water Resources, Environmental & Social activities at national level.
6. Support for enforcing water-related laws to regulate water use and protect drinking water resources including watersheds.
7. Assistance for feasibility/ EIA studies of river upstream, impounding reservoirs.
8. Capacity development of Environmental and Social Institutional Framework (ESIF) activities in coordination with Manpower Development and Training Division (MD&TD).