This canal system allows for irrigation of about 70,000 hectares (170,000 acres) of agricultural land, while also supplying water to more than 8,000 industrial sites across the region.

The canal system was able to avoid effects of drought by supplying water to more arid regions and help with their economic development.

In the 16th century, Adam de Craponne proposed the idea of creating a canal to supply water for the region of Aix and Marseille, but to no avail.

Following WW2, under the suggestion from the Ministry of Agriculture, the departments of Bouches-du-Rhône, Var, and the city of Aix en Provence decided to construct a new canal for increasing the water supply in the region.

Including supply pipelines, the canal system adds to be over 4,500 kilometres (2,800 mi) long, with over 50,000 delivery stations.

The destinations of the water from the canal include: residential use in 110 communes (30%), industry in Gardanne and Étang de Berre (30%), and about 70,000 hectares (170,000 acres) of agricultural land in the area (30%).