N.Y. Pub. Auth. Law § 1079
The board of supervisors of Suffolk county may, by resolution, appropriate a sum of money to defray the preliminary expenses of such authority so created and may thereafter appropriate such sums as may be required, for the purpose of making a survey of the water resources of the said county, and the preparation of a map or plan for the development thereof. The authority shall, as soon as possible, make a survey of the water resources of the county, and prepare a map and plan for the development of the same showing in detail the proposed sources of water to be developed, and the municipalities and areas which may be served thereby. Application for approval of the project shall then be made to the water power and control commission as provided by article eleven of the conservation law. If so approved, the authority shall enter into such contracts or agreements as may be necessary to carry out the plan of such development. The authority may, however, acquire by purchase or condemnation any existing water supply and distribution system without making such survey and except as to properties to be acquired under condemnation proceedings instituted prior to February first, nineteen hundred fifty-two after first obtaining the approval of the board of supervisors of the county, provided, however, that the authority shall not acquire any existing water supply and distribution system owned by a municipality unless the governing board thereof shall adopt a resolution requesting the authority to make such acquisition.
N.Y. Pub. Auth. Law § 1079