The Government of Gujarat established the Water and Sanitation Management Organisation (WASMO) as an autonomous institution in 2002.

The organisation is registered under the Societies (Registration) Act, 1860, and the Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950. WASMO, with the help of NGOs working as Implementation Support Agencies (ISAs) in rural areas, assists Village Panchayats and Pani Samitis (village water and sanitation committees) in planning, implementing and maintaining their water supply and sanitation systems.

It provides them with technical and financial support, and serves as a platform for interaction between government bodies, Non Government Organisations (NGOs) and civil society. It also promotes community-based rainwater harvesting with the use of traditional knowledge with local innovations. WASMO seeks to bridge information gaps on water resource management, safe drinking water, hygiene and sanitation issues.