Tennessee Code Title 7. Consolidated Governments and Local Governmental Functions and Entities § 7-35-406

(a) Every incorporated city and town in this state acquiring a waterworks or sewerage system under this part shall be required and is hereby authorized and empowered to appoint a board of waterworks and/or sewerage commissioners to have supervision and control of construction and operation of such works. “Board,” as used in this part, means a board of waterworks and/or sewerage commissioners as required and authorized in this section, constituted and appointed as provided in §§ 7-35-407 -- 7-35-409. The governing body of any incorporated city or town may, by proper ordinance, elect to perform the duties required of the boards under this part, in which event the governing body shall have all the powers, duties and responsibilities imposed upon the board, and all references to the board shall refer to such governing body acting in the capacity of such board.

(b) Municipalities now or hereafter owning or operating a gas system shall have the power and are hereby authorized to transfer to and confer upon the board of waterworks and sewerage commissioners the jurisdiction over such gas system.