Texas Local Government Code - LOC GOV'T § 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.