When used in this article, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings, respectively, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) AUTHORITY. The Franklin County Water Service Authority, a public corporation organized pursuant to this article.

(2) BOARD. The Board of Directors of the Franklin County Water Service Authority.

(3) BONDS. Bonds, notes, and certificates representing an obligation to pay money.

(4) CONCISE LEGAL DESCRIPTION. A reasonably concise description of a particular geographic area by metes and bounds, reference to government surveys, recorded maps or plats, municipal, county, or state boundary lines, well-defined landmarks, other monuments, or any combination of the foregoing.

(5) COUNTY. Franklin County.

(6) DIRECTOR. A member of the Board of Directors of the Franklin County Water Service Authority.

(7) INCORPORATORS. The persons forming a public corporation organized pursuant to this article.

(8) MUNICIPALITY. An incorporated city or town of Franklin County.

(9) NEW TERRITORY. Any territory added, by amendment to the certificate of incorporation of an authority, to the area or areas in which that authority may render water service.

(10) PERSON. Any natural person, public or private corporation, municipality, or county, or any agency, department, or instrumentality of the state or of a county or municipality.

(11) PROPERTY. Real and personal property and interests therein.

(12) PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM. A water system owned and operated by the United States of America, the state, a county, a municipality, a public corporation organized under the laws of the state, or any combination thereof; or any agency or instrumentality or combination thereof, or any of the foregoing that holds a reversionary or remainder interest in a public water system.

(13) SERVICE AREA. The geographic area or areas in which the authority is authorized by its certificate of incorporation, or any amendment thereto, to render water service, including territory located within or without the boundaries of one or more municipalities.

(14) STATE. The State of Alabama.

(15) WATER SERVICE. The providing, furnishing, supplying, or distribution of water and the performing of all of the functions and activities reasonably incidental to the operation of a water system.

(16) WATER SYSTEM. Land, plants, systems, facilities, buildings, and other property, or any combination thereof, that are used or useful or capable of future use in providing, furnishing, supplying, or distributing water, including, but not limited to, water supply systems, water distribution systems, reservoirs, wells, intakes, mains, laterals, aqueducts, pumping stations, standpipes, filtration plants, purification plants, meters, valves, fire hydrants, all necessary appurtenances and equipment, and all properties, rights, easements, and franchises deemed necessary or desirable by the authority for use in rendering water service.