58:5-16. Powers of commission in carrying out contracts

Upon the execution of said contract, the district water supply commission shall forthwith proceed to carry out the same. For such purpose the commission may, in its own corporate name, but at the expense of the contracting municipalities as herein provided, acquire by purchase or condemnation any part or all of the water plant, water rights, easements, distribution system or other property of any existing private corporation or of any water company, including any contracts which said corporation or water company may have with any municipal or other corporation for the supply of water and may carry out said contracts.

The commission may acquire by purchase or condemnation lands, easements, rights of way, water rights and all other property and rights needful for the construction of any reservoir or the obtaining of any water supply, or the laying of any pipes or mains, or the doing of any work, necessary for the acquisition, construction or operation of such water supply.

The commission may construct or cause to be constructed such reservoirs, pipe lines, mains, pumping or filtration plant, standpipes, tunnels, buildings or other structures, machinery and appliances as may be necessary for the purposes of this chapter, and may hire all employees and purchase all materials necessary for such purpose, and shall have all other powers necessary or proper to provide all of the contracting municipalities in the water supply district with a sufficient water supply, including the right to contract with any municipality, corporation, person or other district water supply commission for the purchase, sale or exchange of any water, lands or other property, but the commission or any municipality shall not enter into any new contracts for the sale or delivery of water to any corporation, firm or person for use within the limits of any other municipality without the written approval and consent of such other municipality.

The commission may also arrange the exchange of lands and of water rights and water in any watershed in the district between any of the municipalities of the district by contract with the municipalities interested.