(1) “Authority” means a water and wastewater treatment authority created pursuant to this part;

(2) “Board” means the board of commissioners of an authority;

(3) “Bonds” includes notes, interim certificates or other obligations of an authority;

(4) “Creating governmental entity” means any city, metropolitan government, county or utility district that creates an authority pursuant to this part;

(5) “Executive officer” means the mayor, county mayor or other chief executive officer of any creating or participating governmental entity;

(6) “Governing body” means the chief legislative body of any creating or participating governmental entity;

(7) “Participating governmental entity” means any utility district, metropolitan government, city, town or county, which utility district, city, town or county, pursuant to a resolution of its governing body, has sold, leased, dedicated, donated or otherwise conveyed its water or wastewater treatment works, or both, or a portion of its water or wastewater treatment works, to the authority for operation by the authority in order to make the treatment works an operational part of its treatment works;

(8) “State” means the state of Tennessee; and

(9) “Treatment works” means any devices and systems used in the storage, treatment, recycling and reclamation of sewage or industrial wastes of a liquid nature to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the state's waters, or any devices and systems used in the treatment and distribution of water, including intercepting sewers, outfall sewers, sewage collection systems, water storage facilities, water transmission lines, pumping, power and other equipment, and their appurtenances, extensions, improvements, remodeling, additions and alterations thereof; elements essential to provide a reliable recycled supply, such as standby treatment units and clear well facilities, and any works.