Due to the agreement of 1968 between the Federation and the state NRW, the West German canals evolved into a multifunctional system, which enabled shipping on the waterways and the connection of Lippe, Ruhr and Rhine, to provide inexpensive industrial water from the canals for power plants, and industrial, commercial and water supply companies, and raise the minimum regimen of the Lippe during dry seasons. To fulfil its duties as per the agreement, the state NRW founded the Wasserverband Westdeutsche Kanale as providers of the water supply.