Tex. Local Gov't Code Section 552.012
Municipalities in or Contracting with a Water District


(a)

In this section, “water district” means a municipal water authority or other district created under Article XVI, Section 59, of the Texas Constitution.

(b)

This section applies to a municipality that is located in a water district or that has a contract with a water district for a supply of untreated water. This section is cumulative of municipal charter provisions relating to the same subject but takes precedence over a municipal charter provision to the extent of any conflict.

(c)

The municipality, acting alone or with one or more other municipalities to which this section applies, may:

(1)

receive or acquire by gift, dedication, purchase, or condemnation any property in this state, located inside or outside the municipal boundaries, to build or acquire:

(A)

water purification and treatment facilities;

(B)

reservoirs; or

(C)

pipelines and any type of water transportation facilities considered necessary to provide the municipality or municipalities with fresh water for municipal, domestic, and industrial purposes; and

(2)

construct or otherwise acquire any facility described by Subdivision (1).

(d)

Chapter 21 (Eminent Domain), Property Code, applies to a condemnation proceeding brought under this section.

(e)

The municipality or municipalities, individually or jointly, may operate, maintain, and improve, and may sell or lease in whole or in part, property acquired or constructed under this section and any improvements on that property. Municipalities may individually or jointly control and operate jointly owned facilities by contracting with one another on mutually agreeable terms.

(f)

The governing body of a municipality providing water treatment facilities under this section may:

(1)

issue negotiable municipal bonds or warrants for that purpose and impose taxes to provide the interest and sinking fund for those bonds or warrants in the manner provided by law for the issuance of tax supported bonds and warrants by the municipality; or

(2)

issue revenue bonds supported by the revenues of one or more of the municipal utilities as provided by Chapter 1502 (Public Securities for Municipal Utilities, Parks, or Pools), Government Code.

(g)

The governing body of a municipality that acquires facilities or property under this section may impose reasonable charges for the use of the facilities or property. In the case of jointly operated facilities, the governing bodies of the municipalities involved may impose the charges by agreement.

(h)

A municipality or a combination of municipalities acting under this section may contract with any other municipality to supply the other municipality with services from the facilities or improvements acquired or constructed under this section. By ordinance, the governing bodies of the municipalities providing the services may prescribe and enforce rules relating to the use of the improvements and facilities.

(i)

An election is not required for approval of any contract relating to water treatment under this section.

(j)

In addition to taxes for the interest and sinking fund of bonds or warrants issued under this section, the governing body of the municipality separately or jointly acquiring improvements or facilities under this section may impose taxes for the improvement, operation, and maintenance of the improvements and facilities. Those taxes are subject to limits on taxation imposed by the constitution and laws of this state and by the municipal charter.
Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 8.346, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Renumbered from Local Government Code, Section 402.012 by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 885 (H.B. 2278), Sec. 3.76(a)(2), eff. April 1, 2009.
Sec. 552.013. WATER SYSTEM IN MUNICIPALITIES WITH POPULATION OF MORE THAN 1,000. (a) This section applies to a municipality with a population of more than 1,000 that owns and operates a water system for its residents for fire protection or domestic consumption. Except as otherwise provided by this section, a municipality’s authority under this section is in addition to authority granted by municipal charter.

(b)

The municipality may acquire any interest, including a fee simple interest, in publicly or privately owned property, including riparian rights, located anywhere in the state. The municipality may acquire the interest by purchase, gift, devise, or eminent domain.

(c)

To furnish an adequate and wholesome supply of water for the residents, the municipality may exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire and condemn public or private property to extend, improve, or enlarge its water system, including water supply reservoirs, riparian rights, standpipes, and watersheds, to construct water supply reservoirs, wells or artesian wells, or dams, and to construct or establish necessary facilities or appurtenances.

(d)

For purposes of this section, the municipality has the same powers relating to eminent domain conferred by statute on water improvement districts or water control and preservation districts or conferred by general law on municipalities.

(e)

The municipality may acquire fee simple title to property under this section if the resolution ordering condemnation proceedings specifies that such an interest is to be acquired.
Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
Renumbered from Local Government Code, Section 402.013 by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 885 (H.B. 2278), Sec. 3.76(a)(2), eff. April 1, 2009.

Source: Section 552.012 — Municipalities in or Contracting with a Water District, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/LG/htm/LG.­552.­htm#552.­012 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).

552.001
Municipal Utility Systems
552.002
Certain Public Services and Utility Systems in Home-rule Municipality
552.003
Acquisition of Existing Public Utility
552.011
Use of Eminent Domain Power
552.012
Municipalities in or Contracting with a Water District
552.014
Contracts with Water Districts or Nonprofit Corporations
552.015
Water Supply in Type a General-law Municipality
552.016
Sale or Lease of Water System by Type a General-law Municipality
552.017
Water Systems in Home-rule Municipalities
552.018
Municipal Contract with Private Entity
552.019
Contract with Water Improvement District or Water Control and Improvement District
552.020
Contract with Water District
552.022
Contracts with Certain Special Districts
552.023
Contract Between Municipality and Trinity River Authority
552.024
Municipal Contract for Reclaimed Water Facility in Certain Municipalities
552.0025
Connection, Disconnection, and Liability for Municipal Utility Services
552.041
Short Title
552.042
Legislative Finding
552.043
Application of Subchapter to Municipalities
552.044
Definitions
552.045
Adoption of System
552.046
Incorporation of Existing Facilities
552.047
Drainage Charges
552.048
Billings
552.049
Segregation of Income
552.050
Delinquent Charges
552.051
Drainage Revenue Bonds
552.052
Discontinuation of Drainage System
552.053
Exemptions
552.054
Effect of Subchapter
552.061
Application of Subchapter to Certain Municipalities
552.062
Definitions
552.063
Municipal Authority
552.064
Declaration
552.065
Assessment Provisions
552.066
Apportionment of Assessments
552.067
Notice of Proposed Improvements
552.068
Exemptions
552.069
Notice and Hearing Requirements
552.070
Change
552.071
Corrections
552.072
Joint Proceedings
552.073
Restrictions in Certain Counties
552.074
Authorized Investment
552.075
Home-rule Municipality
552.091
Application of Subchapter to Certain Municipalities
552.092
Construction of Sanitary Sewers
552.101
Municipal Water Contracts
552.102
Eminent Domain by Municipal Sewer Providers
552.103
Rights of Water Corporation Providing Service to Municipality
552.104
Location of Water Lines Outside Municipal Boundaries
552.105
Relocation of Water Line to Allow Change to Traffic Lane
552.121
Applicability of Subchapter
552.122
Transfer of Management and Control of Electric Utility System
552.123
Authority of Board of Trustees
552.124
Effect of Previously Issued Bonds
552.141
Applicability of Subchapter
552.142
Transfer of Management and Control of Utility System
552.0205
Revenue Bonds to Pay for District Services Under Contract
552.0451
Extension of Service Area by Certain Municipalities
552.901
Relocation or Replacement of Water or Sewer Laterals
552.902
Operation of Certain Electric Light and Power Systems by Home-rule Municipalities
552.903
Agreement with Conservation and Reclamation District
552.904
Lease of Natural Gas Distribution System by Certain Municipalities
552.905
Operation of Cable Tv Systems by General-law Municipalities
552.906
Municipal Utility Plants
552.907
Construction of Water or Wastewater Improvements to Preserve Water Quality Aquifer
552.909
Prohibited Employment of or Contracting with Former Trustee or Board Member
552.910
Agreements with Other Political Subdivisions for Collection of Past Due Utility or Solid Waste Disposal Service Fees
552.911
Duties of Water Service Provider to an Area Served by Sewer Service of Certain Political Subdivisions
552.912
Certain Damages Caused by Sewage Backup
552.913
Combined Heating and Power Systems in Certain Municipalities
552.914
Utility Contracts for Certain Municipalities
552.915
Records of Municipally Owned Electric Utility Providing Broadband Services

Accessed:
Jun. 5, 2024

§ 552.012’s source at texas​.gov