The City of Vergennes is hereby authorized and empowered to construct and maintain a water system, with necessary structures, appliances, pipe lines, aqueducts, pumps, pump house, filtration basin or basins, reservoir or reservoirs, water tower, or towers and all necessary appurtenances to operate the same by water power, gravity, electricity, or other means, and to conduct water to and distribute the same through said City for the purpose of supplying the inhabitants thereof with water for fire, domestic, mechanical, and other purposes, and may take and hold, by purchase or the right of eminent domain, in addition to the land, water power, water rights, privileges, and appurtenances thereof already owned or acquired by said City, such land and easements, springs, wells, ponds, streams, water privileges, and other sources of supply, located within or without the City limits, as may be necessary for obtaining a proper and adequate supply, storing and distributing same, preventing the pollution of the water supply of said City, and for proper construction, extension, and maintenance of said water system, provided, however, that such right of eminent domain shall not include the taking of private water power rights. Said City may enter upon and use any land, highways, easements, and rights of way through or over which it may be necessary for the pipes or aqueducts, reservoirs, water towers, structures, and appurtenances as may be necessary for the complete construction and maintenance of said water system; and may also, for the purposes aforesaid, dig up or occupy any common, highway, street, right of way, or bridge, for the purpose of laying, constructing, or repairing such pipes or aqueducts and all appurtenances thereof; and may, for the purposes of this subchapter, build, construct, and repair from time to time as may be necessary, the dam or falls of the water power now owned and used by said City.