The Institute primarily focused on human health issues related to water supply, sewage disposal, diseases, and industrial pollution.

The institute has six zonal laboratories located in Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Nagpur, and Mumbai.

NEERI has headquarters in Nagpur and five zonal laboratories in Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

[17] The institute has set up a Centre for Skill Development, offering certificate courses in the areas of environmental impact and water quality assessment.

Prof. V. Rajagopalan (1993 Vice President of the World Bank) had in his time (1955–65) with the Institute created a national program for water industry professionals.

[20] The institute has national and international patents for a method to manufacture zeolite-A using flash instead of sodium silicate and aluminate.