a) To determine the principles and targets and to develop policies and strategies towards conservation of surface waters including coastal and transitional waters,
b) To determine the quality class of surface waters, develop plans and project to improve water quality, monitor and report the implementations of these plans and projects,
c) To determine the quality and the pollutant assimilation capacity of surface waters, including coastal and transitional waters, to specify the pollutants necessary to determine the water quality, and to designate the environmental quality standards and environmental quality targets, to monitor their implementation, to conduct research and development studies on these issues or carry out these studies under service procurements,
d) To detect the possible chemical, hydromorphological and ecological effects of activities on surface waters including coastal and transitional waters,
e) To detect the pollution caused by conventional pollutants, priority substances, other hazardous substances and endocrine disruptors in surface water bodies, including coastal and transitional waters and to carry out required studies to reduce the pollution,
f) To determine and update the measures to prevent surface water pollution including coastal and transitional waters and monitor the implementations of these measures,
g) To designate the quality classes of surface waters including coastal and transitional waters depending on receiving body characteristics, to build an opinion to determine the most appropriate use in view of water quality,
h) To support and contribute to the preparation of plans and programs for monitoring studies to be carried out in surface water bodies,
i) To follow up and report the national and international studies in the area of study, to promulgate legislation, to prepare guidance documents on required topics or make service procurements for development of guidance documents, to carry out or have trainings by themselves or via service procurements,
j) To fulfill the other duties given by the Head of Department.