(b) The water board and its corporate existence shall continue until terminated by law, provided, however, that no such law shall take effect 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 water board, all of the rights and properties of the water board then remaining shall pass to and vest in the city. 6. It is hereby determined and declared that the water board and the carrying out of its powers and duties are in all respects for the benefit of the people of the city and the state for the improvement of their health, welfare and prosperity and that such purposes are public purposes and that the water board is and will be performing an essential governmental function in the exercise of the powers conferred upon it by this title.