The second tier of the water management system consists of Area Water Boards (AWBs). The Area Water Boards will be responsible for:
• operation and maintenance of the main and branch canals.
• distribution of irrigation water to the FOs.
• maintenance of intermediate drainage infrastructure.
• the collection of revenue where no FOs currently exist.
• paying SIDA for the irrigation water received.
• charging FOs for the irrigation water they distribute to them.
A Board in which farmers are represented will manage the AWBs. The Director will report to the Board.
Additionally, the Area Water Boards supply drinking water and water for industrial purposes, and assist in the protection against floods.
Most Area Water Boards have one canal under their jurisdiction. However, The Left Bank Canal Area Water Board is responsible for the Fulleli and Akram Wah canals, and the Western Canal Area Water Board has both the Rice Canal and the Dadu Canal under its jurisdiction.
Presently, Following first three Area Water Boards are operational:
| Area Water Board |
Cultivable Command Area* |
Director |
Location |
| Nara Canal Area Water Board |
880,000 hectare |
---------------- |
Mirpur Khas |
| Left Bank Canal Area Water Board |
620,000 hectare |
---------------- |
Badin |
| Ghotki Feeder Canal Area Water Board |
300,000 hectare |
---------------- |
Ghotki |
| Western Canal Area Water Board |
430,000 hectare |
---------------- |
Larkana |
| Begari Feeder Canal Area Water Board |
230,000 hectare |
---------------- |
Sukkur |
