Each district is a self-supporting entity with the power to assess fees and levy local charges. New York state law gives nearly complete autonomy to the county to run their agencies. The specific agencies are empowered to assemble data relating to the water resources available in the county, number and location of wells, contaminants that are present in the supply of the water in the county, sewage collection and related issues that may arise. Erie County has made the decision to create separate boards which then report back to the county. Each of the seven districts has its own board, and the board has to report back to the county executive and legislature. The Division of Sewer is a part of the Department of Environment and Planning of Erie County.