Water resources development activities in Bangladesh were initiated in 1960s realizing the importance of water in socio-economic development of the country. As a riverine country, daily life of the people is largely depended on water.

With the mission and vision of developing socio-economic condition of the country through increased food production, LGED got involved in agricultural intervention through surface water management by excavating/re-excavating drains and canals, digging new canals, repair and construction of embankments and reclamation of land for productive purposes. Under Thana Irrigation Program (TIP) of Cumilla Model, small scale water resources schemes was initiated and implemented by the UP members at the Union level since 1960. Later, LGED has implemented small scale water resources schemes as a component under different project title. In 1995-96 LGED made its first move to the small scale water resources development project. Meanwhile, the Government made major water sector reforms with the formulation of the National Water Policy (NWP) in 1999 and the National Water Management Plan (NWMP) in 2001. The NWP states "the Local Government will implement flood control, drainage and irrigation (FCDI) projects having command areas of 1,000 hectares or less”. LGED prepares local water management plan and implements projects in conformity with NWMP and with participation of local stakeholders and beneficiaries. For monitoring of these works, LGED setup IWRM Unit in 2003.

The general mandate of IWRMU is to guide and steer LGED’s activities in the water sector with specific responsibility to assist in preparation of policies, formulation of strategies and plans, preparation of new projects, inter-agency coordination, undertake studies and provide long term support to the completed projects.

The overall function of IWRMU is the development and management of local water management infrastructure for increasing farm/non-farm production, generating employment, improving socio-economic conditions, promoting local governance, reducing poverty and acting as an agent of change at the local level.

At the inception, IWRM initiated its activities under one Superintending Engineer (SE-IWRM). Later, the functions of the unit were entrusted with two SEs. One is responsible for planning and design (P&D) and the other SE looks after operation and maintenance (O&M) of the sub-projects.

It has been given specific responsibility to assist in the formulation of policies, strategies and plans, preparation of new projects, undertake studies. Beneficiaries and the stakeholders are included at the planning stage of the sub projects. Water Management Cooperative Associations (WMCA) is formed to ensure their participation. Planning and Design Unit also responsible for assisting to Project Management Office carries out pre-screening of the sub projects identified by local people and proposed by Union Council (Parishad) through Upazila Development Coordination Committee (UDCC), Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) as well as feasibility study and detailed design following various related Policy, Plan, Act, Rules, Guidelines and approval also.