1500 LAWS OF MARYLAND [CH. 677

systems, or parts thereof. Whenever such work at any
one location involves an estimated outlay of [Five Thous-
and Dollars ($5, 000. 00)], $10, 000. 00 or more, plans and
specifications therefor shall be prepared by the Chief
Sanitary Engineer of the Metropolitan District, and bids
for such work shall be invited by reasonable publication
in such papers as the Commissioners may designate but
said Commissioners shall not be bound to have such work
done by contract if it is found after receiving bids there-
for that the same can be done at a lower cost by direct
employment of the required labor. No water or sewer
lines or systems, or any part thereof, shall be constructed
except upon the written recommendation of the Chief
Sanitary Engineer. Before making his recommendation
in writing with respect to the construction or extension
of any water or sewer lines or systems, or any parts
thereof, the Chief Sanitary Engineer shall make a thor-
ough field inspection of the territory proposed to be served
by the new construction or extension, and shall prepare
sufficient plans upon which to make an adequate cost
estimate of the proposed construction or extension, to-
gether with conservative estimates in writing of the
revenues to be expected therefrom by assessments and
charges of any kind authorized by this Act. Such plans
and estimates shall accompany his written recommenda-
tions and shall be filed by him in the office of the Com-
missioners. If said plans and estimates fail to show that
the proposed new construction or extension will be finan-
cially self-supporting within a reasonable time after com-
pletion, the Commissioners shall not order the construc-
tion of said new lines or extensions, unless property
owners requesting them shall finance their cost upon a
basis that will make them a permanently self-supporting
part of the Metropolitan District. The requirement that
a project be financially self-supporting shall not apply to
any exercise by the Commissioners of the general powers
and authority to establish, construct and maintain facili-
ties conferred upon them by Section 344, provided the
Chief Sanitary Engineer finds that: (a) the cost or ex-
pense involved in the exercise of such power and authority
is not readily or fairly susceptible of allocation among
property owners in the affected area in accordance with
the terms of Section 354, and (b) the exercise of such
power and authority is for a purpose necessary and use-
ful to the operation or maintenance of a water system,
sewer system, or part thereof, constructed or to be con-
structed in the Baltimore County Metropolitan District,
provided, however, that when an estimated outlay does