Section 1198-E. Responsibilities of the authority

The authority shall have
  the responsibility to: 1.  investigate,  analyse  and  evaluate  various
  options  for  the  distribution of water to the district, including, but
  not limited to, the following:
    (a) The purchase, in the name of the authority, or in the name of  any
  municipality  or  municipalities,  of any water facility or distribution
  system or parts thereof involved in the supply of water to the district;
    (b) The operation of any water  facility  or  distribution  system  or
  parts  thereof by any public water suppliers which operate in geographic
  areas adjacent to the district;
    (c) The creation of additional water authorities to  supply  water  to
  portions  of  the  district  as  described  in  section  eleven  hundred
  ninety-eight-c of this article; and
    (d) The retention of the water supply system within the district which
  is in existence as of the effective date of this title.
    2. Following any purchase pursuant to paragraph (a) of subdivision one
  of this section:
    (a) Meter service to its customers; and
    (b) Repair and maintain that portion of a water supply pipe  extending
  from  the water mains to the water meter. For purposes of this paragraph
  "water supply pipe" shall mean a pipe or line which connects  the  water
  mains directly to a customer's water meter.