(a) Any water company, as defined in § 25-32a, may engage in the sale of bottled water or establish an entity under chapter 601 for the purpose of engaging in the sale of bottled water within or outside of its franchise area. The costs and expenses of a water company associated with the sale of bottled water shall be exclusive of the costs and expenses associated with the establishment of rates and charges for the use of the waterworks system pursuant to § 7-239.

(b) Any municipality may exercise the authority provided for in subsection (a) of this section notwithstanding the provisions of any special act, municipal charter or home rule ordinance. A municipality shall establish such entity upon approval of the chief executive officer of the municipality and by adoption of an ordinance approved by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at a meeting of the legislative body of the municipality or the board of selectmen or city or town council, in the case of a municipality in which the legislative body is a town meeting.