24 V.S.A. App. ch. 129D, § 402: Electric, water, and wastewater administration

(a) Operating costs of the Electric, Water, and Wastewater Departments shall be paid by the ratepayers.

(b) The charges and rates for electric service shall be a lien upon real estate, wherever located, furnished with such service in the same manner and to the same effect as taxes are a lien upon real estate under 32 V.S.A. § 5061. The owner of such property furnished with electric service, wherever located, shall be liable for such charges and rates.

(c) All water and wastewater charges shall be set by the Selectboard at rates sufficient to pay the costs of operating and maintaining the systems, to pay debt service on all obligations issued to improve or support such systems, and to fund necessary capital reserves, all as provided by the general law.