Sec. 16.196.  PREFERENCES.  The board shall give political subdivisions a preferential right, but not an exclusive right, to purchase, acquire, or lease facilities and to purchase water from facilities.  Preferences shall be given in these respects in accord with the provisions of Section 11.123 of this code relating to preferences in the appropriation and use of state water.  The board and the commission shall coordinate their efforts to meet these objectives and to assure that the public water of this state, which is held in trust for the use and benefit of the public, will be conserved, developed, and utilized in the greatest practicable measure for the public welfare.
Amended by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2207, ch. 870, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.