(a) All water rents laid or imposed by the Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Wilmington, remaining unpaid and in arrears for 30 days after they become due, shall be and constitute a lien upon the lands and premises of the owner to which the water was furnished. Such liens shall have preference and priority to all liens of recognizance, mortgage or judgment on such lands and premises created or suffered by the owner, although such other lien or liens shall be of a date prior to the time of the attaching of such lien for water rents.
(b) In case of the sale under execution process of any lands and premises upon which liens for water rents exist, the liens shall be transferred to the fund arising from the sale in the hands of the officer making the sale, and the real estate so sold shall be discharged therefrom.