J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                       1463

are improperly constructed or are not of sufficient capacity or were
constructed without proper authority from the State Department of
Health since the passage of the Act requiring the same. THE COM-
MISSION MAY PURCHASE ANY EXISTING WATER MAINS,
SEWERS OR SYSTEMS, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, WHICH ARE
NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE FOR THE PURPOSE OF CARRY-
ING OUT THE POWERS VESTED IN IT BY THIS SUBTITLE.

409. Contracts; authority of Commission.

The Commission has full power and authority to enter into any
contract for the connection of its water supply, sewerage, or drain-
age systems, with those of any municipality or adjoining county, or
any other governmental agency, for the purchase of water and for
the disposal of sewage drainage from any sanitary district, and to
enter into any other agreement concerning any matter deemed by
the Commission to be necessary, advisable, or expedient for the
proper construction, maintenance, and operation of the water sup-
ply, sewerage, or drainage systems under its control, or those under
the control of any municipality or county or other governmental
agency. The Commission is further empowered, subject to the ap-
proval of the County Commissioners, to enter into contracts with any
municipality for the joint acquisition, construction, ownership, and
operation of any water supply, sewerage, or drainage system or any
portion thereof.

410. Permits and connections.

(a)   Before any plumbing, water works, or sewer construction is
done in any building or upon any private property within the sanitary
district, the person, firm, or corporation doing the construction shall
first obtain a permit from the Commission and pay therefor such
reasonable sum as the Commission may prescribe. The work shall
be done under and pursuant to such rules, regulations, and require-
ments as the Commission may from time to time formulate, and sub-
ject to such inspection as it may deem necessary; provided that, to
avoid duplication of supervision, the Commission may waive this
provision if the Department of Health issues the permits and makes
the inspections required by this subsection in a manner satisfactory
to the Commission.

(b)   No private or public water supply or sewerage installation
intended for use of two or more buildings or premises shall be con-
structed, nor shall any existing system be extended in the sanitary
district unless the person, firm, or corporation doing the work has
first obtained a permit from the Commission and paid a reasonable
charge therefor. The plant then shall be installed, maintained, and
operated under such rules and regulations as the Commission may
require or devise. The Commission shall have full and complete
jurisdiction over all fire hydrants connected with its water system;
and no person, firm or corporation may operate, use, or make con-
nection with the system without the written authority of the Com-
mission, except that no restriction shall apply to any bona fide fire
department in the discharge of its duties. No person, firm, or corpo-
ration may tamper with, deface, damage, or obstruct any fire hydrant.
A violation of any of the provisions of this section is a misdemeanor,
punishable under Section 425 of this subtitle.