In implementation of Chapter II of Act No. 36 of 1994, this Regional Act: (1) defines the optimal territorial areas charged with the management of the integrated water service, (2) provides for cooperation among the entities which fall within the same optimal territorial area, and (3) lays down criteria governing the management and the organization of the integrated water service. The latter is composed of public services for the supply and distribution of water as well as sewerage and purification of waste water. The table attached to the Act defines throughout the regional territory three optimal territorial areas with a view to ensuring the uniform management of regional water services. The Communes and the Provinces comprised in the same optimal territorial area shall constitute, as a consortium, the Areas s Authority (art. 4) which shall be responsible for programming and supervising the water service management.