The main ministries responsible for water are the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal husbandry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Public Health, and the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Tourism. The Ministry of Natural Resources controls the exploitation and management of all natural resources, including water. Within the ministry, the Water Supply Service (NH/DW) is responsible for the water supply in the coastal area and the hinterland. Other governmental institutions involved in water affairs of Suriname are the Ministry of Planning and the National Institute for Environment and Development (NIMOS). International institutions involved include PAHO/WHO, UNICEF, IDB, Islamic Development Bank, and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The Government of the Netherlands and Belgium, and the European Union (EU) also contribute. There are also a number of non-governmental and private sectors that contribute. Suriname also participates in the Global Water Partnership Caribbean (www.gwp-caribbean.org/) and maintains good relations with Waternet Netherlands (http://www.waternet.nl/).

In the past, several studies and proposals for water-related laws/legislation were developed for Suriname. These documents can be downloaded from the link [Publications]. Legislation regarding the ground water procurement areas has been drafted and should be adopted as soon as possible. A law protecting surface water is needed. There is also an urgent need to update the legal framework of the water supply and sanitation. To date, no national water authority or water resources council, and national water law, has been established.