Section 11-81-185 Rates Not Subject to State Supervision or Regulation; Supervision, Etc., of Operation, Etc., of Sewer Systems by State Board of Health.

Rates charged for services furnished by any system or combined system purchased, constructed, improved, enlarged, extended or repaired under the provisions of this article shall not be subject to supervision or regulation by any state bureau, board, commission or other like instrumentality or agency thereof, and it shall not be necessary for any borrower operating under the provisions of this article, except as otherwise provided in this section, to obtain any franchise or other permit from any state bureau, board, commission or other instrumentality thereof, except the State Board of Health, in order to construct, improve, enlarge, extend or repair any system or combined system named in this article; provided, however, that the functions, powers and duties of the State Board of Health shall remain unaffected by this article, except for the following additional cumulative and supplemental authority: No governing body under the provisions of this article shall construct, add to, modify, alter or operate any sewage collection system or sewage treatment plant or plants as set out in this article or incur any debt or issue any bonds in aid of such systems or works unless a permit shall first have been obtained from the State Board of Health. Such permit shall be based upon adequacy of financing of operation and the maintenance of effluent of such quality as will not constitute a menace or damage to the health or lives of human beings or endanger the public health, welfare or comfort. If any governing body fails or refuses after a period of 30 days after a notice and order is given it by the State Board of Health to perform any act or acts required of it by this section and by any such order or notice of the State Board of Health, such order of the State Board of Health may be enforced by a writ of mandamus issued by any court authorized to issue such writ.