The National Institute of Hydraulic Resources was constituted on August 10, 1962 led by Commander Faustino Pérez Hernández, who had the mission of putting into practice the ideas of the Commander in Chief, Fidel Castro Ruz, regarding the consolidation of the first foundations of the ambitious hydraulic program carried out by the Revolution in that decade. This organism laid the foundations for hydraulic work in the country, designing the first national strategy for that objective, also initiating an ambitious hydraulic construction program. It also currently assumes attention to aqueduct and sewerage services throughout the country. In 1969 and later in 1977, institutional changes take place in some government sectors, adopting other organizational ones for the management of hydraulic work in the country. As a result of a process of administrative readjustment, in 1969 the INRH was dissolved, and its functions passed through other entities, until in 1977 the Institute of Hydroeconomy was created. These structures were responsible for giving continuity to the Hydraulic Program started, developing at all times the works of prospecting, evaluation and updating of the country's hydraulic potential, the projects and hydraulic constructions, the operation of the new hydraulic works resulting from this construction program, as well such as attention to water and sanitation services that increased coverage year after year. Then in 1989, as a result of another process of administrative readjustment, and with the heading of Decree Law 114, on June 6, 1989, the INRH was again constituted as an Organism of the Central State Administration, adopting the same name as the founded 17 years ago.

INRH: AGENCY OF THE CENTRAL STATE ADMINISTRATION. On June 6, 1989, through Decree Law 114, and in order to perfect, enhance, and prioritize the stewardship of the Hydraulic Resources in the country, the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources was created as the Organism of the Central State Administration , in charge of directing, executing and controlling the application of the State and Government policy regarding the activity of the country's Water Resources and, which in addition to the functions common to all the organisms of the Central State Administration, has the following specific powers and functions:     Organize and direct in coordination with the competent organisms the protection of the terrestrial waters, the basins, the natural channels, the works and hydraulic installations against dangers of contamination, dust and other forms of degradation and deterioration, as well as the systematic control of the quality of the waters.     Determine with the corresponding organizations, the necessary regulations for the protection of the economic, social objectives and the natural environment, from the harmful effects that the terrestrial waters could cause, establishing the organization, assurance and control actions that guarantee the security and the correct functioning of hydraulic installations, flood protection works, underground drainage and the ability to conduct natural or artificial channels.     Determine and keep updated the hydraulic potential of the country, make available to the competent organizations the data and characterization of the hydrological cycle related to surface and ground water, rainfall and evaporation.     Propose the country's hydraulic development strategy and in standard correspondence and control the project activity and investments of the hydraulic works that are carried out.     Plan, regulate and control hydraulic resources, as well as the operation, technical surveillance and maintenance of hydraulic works and installations.     Determine and keep up-to-date the studies and evaluations of the hydroenergetic potential in which it is competent.     Regulate and control the activity of aqueduct, sewerage and river drainage.     Organize and guarantee the operation of the national terrestrial water registry in which the concessions, assignments and permits related to the use of water and its preservation will be registered, with what the Law determines.

Subsequently, as of April 20, 2007, it was decided to assign the INRH to the Ministry of Construction, a condition that was maintained until January 6, 2011, when by Decree Law 280 of the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba, The INRH reestablishes the category of Organism of the Central State Administration, and by agreement of this body, the Engineer Inés María Chapman Waugh is designated as president of the institution, who continues to carry out this responsibility at this time. On July 1, 1993, Decree Law 138 on Terrestrial Waters, both surface and groundwater, was enacted, the objective of which is to develop the basic principles established in the Constitution of the Republic of Cuba and in the Environmental Protection Law. Until now, the Spanish Water Law of June 13, 1879, formally enacted in the Island by Royal Decree of January 19, 1891, had formal validity in Cuba.