In the 80s-in step with government policy-its operations expanded to supplying water to industry and households, and shouldering general responsibility for irrigation and water supply on the Chianan Plain.
「早年農業時代，嘉南農田水利會的經費，和雲林、嘉義、台南四縣市政府的預算加起來差不多！」嘉南水利會總幹事吳玉土表示，水利會具有「公法人」地位，影響力大，近百年來，也的確一肩扛起了嘉南平原的灌溉及供水重擔。