Operation and maintenance of wastewater and water projects; rates and charges therefor

(a) Prior to the construction of a wastewater or water project, the assessment district in which the project shall be located shall enter into one or more agreements with a utility or governmental agency operating a wastewater or water facility within the service area covered by the assessment district for the operation and maintenance of the project and for the provision of wastewater or water services, as the case may be, and such utility or governmental agency shall thereupon be authorized and empowered to charge and collect from each person connected to the project such rates and charges customarily paid by customers of such utility or governmental agency for similar wastewater or water services. All such agreements shall have terms of duration equal to or greater than the period necessary for the cost of the project to be paid in full, and may otherwise contain such terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed to by the parties, and shall be presented as part of the application to the Public Service Commission required by section ten (c) hereof. (b) Immediately upon the final payment of all assessment fees due under all assessment certificates issued in connection with a wastewater or water project constructed within an assessment district, the assessment district shall transfer and convey all of its right, title and interest in and to such project to the utility or governmental agency providing wastewater or water services, as the case may be.