Public Health Engineering Department was formed in the year 1927 to provide water supply and drainage facilities in the state. In the year 1946, its name was changed to Autonomous Government Engineering Department. In June 1975, this department was converted into Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam under the Uttar Pradesh Water Supply and Sewerage Act 1975 (Act No. 43 of 1975).

Under the said Act, one Jal Sansthan each for five towns, Bundelkhand, Garhwal and Kumaon areas were also established. At present, Jhasi and Chitrakoot Jal Sansthan are working for Bundelkhand region. Garhwal and Kumaon Jal Sansthan are included in the state of Uttarakhand. At present, the Jal Sansthan constituted for five big cities has been merged with the respective Municipal Corporations Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Agra and all the drinking water/water harvesting works are maintained by them in their areas.

The Uttar Pradesh Water Supply and Sewer System (Amendment) Act has been issued dated-24.08.2021. According to the provision of this Act, the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam has been divided as Uttar Jal Nigam (Urban) and Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Rural). The construction works of water supply / water harvesting in the cities of the state are done by the Jal Nigam (Urban). In the urban areas, the works are completed and handed over to the local bodies/water institutions for maintenance.