1. (a) Notwithstanding IC 8-1-2-103 (a), if a health agency determines that an area located within a city or within a county having a consolidated city:

   1. (1) is served by private water wells;
   2. (2) suffers from a health hazard due to the presence of at least one
   3. (1) contaminant; and

   4. (3) incorporates at least a portion of at least one (1) census track or block having a median household income of less than two hundred percent (200%) of the most recently determined federal income poverty level;

      the health agency may direct the nearest public utility that is authorized to provide water utility service within the municipality to prepare and provide to the commission an estimate of the cost of extending water utility service to the subject area and request the commission to approve the project.

2. (b) The costs estimated under subsection (a) may include the following:

   1. (1) Installing the mains and connecting service lines on properties within the subject area.
   2. (2) Abandoning and plugging existing wells in accordance with IC 25-39-2-14 and rules adopted under IC 25-39 on properties within the subject area.
   3. (3) Restoration of areas disturbed by the project.
   4. (4) Other reasonable costs of extending water utility service to the subject area.

As added by P.L.94-2000, SEC.2.