Cities of the second class and villages shall have power to provide for the purchase of fire-extinguishing apparatus and for a supply of water for the purpose of fire protection and public use and for the use of the inhabitants of such cities and villages by the purchase, erection, or construction of a system of waterworks, water mains, or extensions of any system of waterworks established or situated in whole or in part within such city or village, and for maintaining such fire-extinguishing apparatus or system of waterworks.
Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 17-531