(b) The authority and its corporate existence shall continue until terminated by law, provided, however, that no such law shall take effect so long as the authority shall have bonds or other obligations outstanding, unless adequate provision has been made for the payment or satisfaction thereof, or so long as the water board shall have contractual duties or obligations outstanding unless adequate provision has been made for the satisfaction thereof. Upon termination of the existence of the authority, all of the rights, obligations and properties of the authority then remaining shall pass to and vest to the city, with the city's consent, if the authority acquired such property from the city, or to a municipality, with the municipality's consent, if the authority acquired such property from such municipality, unless otherwise provided in an agreement between the city or municipality and the authority, and except as otherwise may be specified by law. 6. It is hereby determined and declared that the authority and the carrying out of its powers and duties are in all respects for the benefit of the people of the city and the service area and the state for the improvement of their health, welfare and prosperity and that such purposes are public purposes and that the authority is and will be performing an essential governmental function in the exercise of the powers conferred upon it by this title. 7. Nothing in this title shall be construed to obligate the state in any way in connection with the operations or obligations of the authority.