Texas Local Government Code - LOC GOV'T § 562.014. Acquisition of Property for Water Supply or Transport of Water

(a) The commissioners court of a county may acquire by purchase, gift, lease, or any other method, except condemnation, any property or an interest in property inside or outside the county that the commissioners court finds necessary to obtain a surface water supply or to transport and deliver surface water.

(b) If the property being acquired is located outside the county, the commissioners court of the county or counties where the property is located shall hold a public hearing and acquisition must be approved by the commissioners court at a regular meeting of the court.

(c) The commissioners court may contract with any political subdivision of the state for the management and operation of all or part of the property or interests in property and for the beneficial use of the surface water. A contract may be made on terms the commissioners court considers appropriate but may not be for a term of more than 40 years.