1. It shall be the duty of the several county commissions of this state to maintain the efficiency of the drainage districts now or hereafter organized and existing under and by virtue of the provisions of this chapter and such commissions are vested with the continuous management and control of said districts with the duty and power of maintaining, preserving, restoring, repairing, strengthening and replacing the drains, ditches and levees thereof.

2. For the purpose of maintaining said ditches, drains and levees, all of the drainage districts in a county on a petition filed by a majority of the landowners owning the majority of the acres of land in each district of such county, may be treated and administered as a unit for such purpose in conformity with all the provisions of sections 243.220 to 243.240, 243.280, 243.330, and 243.380.