The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation was formed on 1 July 2017, when the Department of Environment Regulation (DER) amalgamated with the Department of Water and the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority. It is responsible for looking after the environment and the regulation of water resources in the state of Western Australia. In May 2021, the department was one of eight Western Australian Government departments to receive a new Director General with Michelle Andrews being appointed to the role effective from 31 May 2021.