Created in 1998, in lines with water Law 19/95, the main role of basin agencies is to promote an integrated, decentralized and concerted management of water resources. They intervene in consultation with all actors and sectors for better allocation of water resources, particularly through the programming of water allocations from dams.

Water fees are set by the Water Law 10 - 95 and should encourage polluters and water users to adopt more rational behavior towards water use and degradation. These fees, which aim to manage water, are coupled with an incentive for the agencies to invest in the conservation and protection of water resources, since the proceeds of the royalties are allocated to actions to clean up and conserve water resources. Through the public water use fee for irrigation currently set at 0.02 dh/m³, the agencies should contribute to financial aid for investments to modernize the forms of water uses by all sectors, including domestic uses. Through such fees and incentive, the agency is targeting the rational use of water, particularly a better valuation of the limited resources of the basin and sustain their uses.

HBA is a very powerful organization and whose intervention in the management of water is crucial. There is no doubt that water allocation decisions do not only concern agriculture, but also other sectors and also other regions, so the objective of equity and optimal uses among sectors is a priority. Water governance at the basin level is perceived as a rational and equitable allocation of water between sectors.