Montana Title 7. Local Government § 7-13-3041. Acquisition of private water supply system

(1) If a franchise has been granted to or a contract made with any person or corporation and the person or corporation has established or maintained a system of water supply or has valuable water rights or a supply of water desired by the district for supplying the district with water, the governing body granting the franchise, entering the contract, or desiring the water supply shall, by the passage of a resolution, give notice to the person or corporation that it desires to purchase the plant, franchise, or water supply of the person or corporation.

(2) The governing body passing a resolution as provided in subsection (1) may purchase the plant, franchise, or water supply upon terms agreed to by the parties.

(3) In case agreement is not reached in accordance with subsection (2), the governing body may take the plant, franchise, or water supply by eminent domain in accordance with Title 70, chapters 30 and 31.