The Board consists of not fewer than three and not more than nine members appointed by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. It is made up of at least one nominee from those departments of the Government of Canada which, in the opinion of the Governor in Council, are most directly concerned with the management of the water resources in the Northwest Territories, and at least three persons named by the Commissioner in Council of the Northwest Territories.
Professional and technical staff is provided by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development to help conduct the business of the Board and its activities. A Technical Advisory Committee was established in 1973 to provide a forum for the discussion of technical matters related to applications for use of water and waste disposal.