Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) was created as an independent full-fledged Department in 1987 vide Home (C & E) Department’s Notification No. 16664-AR dated 2.9.1987. Earlier Health & Family Welfare Department of the State Government had a Public Health Engineering Wing. As per Rules of Business of the State Government, Public Health Engineering Department controls the Water Supply & Sanitation Budget of the State Government (major head 2215/4215) and undertakes programmes of implementation of water supply and sanitation services mainly through Public Health Engineering Directorate under its administrative control.

Currently, however, Panchayet & Rural Development Department controls the Budget of Rural Sanitation and has been made the Nodal Department for Rural Sanitation. The Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Departments are now looking after activities of Urban Sanitation and Sewerage Sector. Therefore, main activities of PHED are now related to Rural and Urban Water Supply Sectors. In the Urban Water Supply Sector, sectoral activities are mostly limited within areas of the State outside Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA). PHED also controls partially the Budget of Hill Area Development (major head 2551) so far as provision for water supply is concerned. Budgetary control is also exercised by PHED on Loans to Urban Local Bodies for implementation of Urban Water Supply Schemes (major head 6215). PHED has to arrange for water supply and sanitation measures in fairs and festivals for which fund is provided under major head 2250 of Social Welfare Department. PHED has to carry out original works of Health & Family Welfare Department under major heads 4210 and 2210 so far as water supply in hospitals and health institutions is concerned. PHED is also involved in maintenance of non-residential Government buildings under the major head 2059 of PWD.

PHED has to operate and maintain three Sewerage & Drainage schemes ( Kalyani, Berhampur and Nabadwip ) completed under Ganga Action Plan ( Phase I). Implementation of Sewerage & Drainage schemes for 4 (four) more towns has been entrusted to Public health Engineering Department. Public Health Engineering Department is continuing operation and maintenance of 21 water supply and drainage schemes belonging to other Departments. Above all, Natural Calamities, like flood or drought, demands safe water supply for the people and Public Health Engineering Department always rises to such occasion. Fund is provided under Relief Department’s major head 2245.