1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, no water system which is constructed on or after July 1, 1991, may operate unless the owner of the water system receives a permit to operate the water system from the Division or the district board of health, if designated pursuant to NRS 445A.853. The owner of such a water system is entitled to a permit to operate the water system upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth in NRS 445A.885 to 445A.915, inclusive, and the requirements set forth in the regulations adopted by the Commission pursuant to NRS 445A.860.
2. Subsection 1 does not apply to the expansion of a public utility.