In 1836, the Public Works Department was established as a part of the Schools bureau at Mohamed Aly Pasha's reign

In 1836, the Public Works Department was established as a part of the Schools Headquarter redundancy at Mohamed Aly Pasha's reign. In 1857, The Nizarah of Public Works was established and it comprised many departments like the deeps of Railway , Telegraphs , the Survey , the Building Construction , the Agriculture , Alexandria Harbor, the Antiques , the Opera House, the Zoo, the Aquarium Garden , the Sewage ,and the Irrigation Department

In 1914, the name changed from Nizarah to Ministry , so the name became the Ministry of Public Works. In 1964, the republican decree no. 301 for the year of 1964 was issued to form a new government and limit the ministry activities on irrigation and drainage

Hence, it was called the Ministry of Irrigation. In 1977, a republican decree was issued to add the responsibilities of land reclamation to the Ministry. So, it was called the Ministry of Irrigation and Land Reclamation. In 1987, the republican decree no. 449 for the year 1987 was issued to modify  the name to the Ministry of Public Works and Water Resources. In 1999, the republican decree no. 409 for the year 1999 was issued to modify  the name to the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation