a. When the department determines that the developed water supply available to a water purveyor is inadequate to service its users with an adequate supply of water under a variety of conditions, the department may order the water purveyor to develop or acquire, within a reasonable period of time, additional water supplies sufficient to provide that service.

b. The Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs shall, when reviewing the annual budget of any municipality, county, or agency thereof which operates a public water supply system, certify that an amount sufficient to cover the cost of any order issued to the municipality, county or agency thereof pursuant to subsection a. of this section is included in that annual budget.

L.1981, c. 262, s. 14, eff. Aug. 13, 1981.