(a) A county may acquire, own, finance, operate, or contract for the operation of, a water or sewer utility system to serve an unincorporated area of the county in the same manner and under the same regulations as a municipality under Chapter 552. The county must comply with all provisions of Chapter 13, Water Code, that apply to a municipality. However, a county with a population of 2.5 million or more and any adjoining county may, with the municipality’s approval, serve an area within a municipality.
(b) To finance the water or sewer utility system, a county may issue bonds payable solely from the revenue generated by the water or sewer utility system. A bond issued under this section is not a debt of the county but is only a charge on the revenues pledged and is not considered in determining the ability of the county to issue bonds for any other purpose authorized by law. This subsection does not authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds payable from ad valorem taxes to finance a water or sewer utility system. However, a county with a population of 2.5 million or more and any adjoining county may issue general obligation bonds with the approval of qualified voters.

(c) A county may acquire any interest in property necessary to operate a system authorized by this section through any means available to the county, including eminent domain. A county may not use eminent domain under this subsection to acquire property in a municipality. Provided, however, a county with a population of 2.5 million or more and any adjoining county may, with the municipality’s approval, use the power of eminent domain under this subsection to acquire property within a municipality.