(a) In acting under Section 8501.155, the authority may:
(1) purchase or construct any work necessary or convenient for the exercise of the authority's powers under this chapter and to accomplish the purposes of this chapter; and
(2) purchase or otherwise acquire land or other property necessary or convenient for carrying out the purposes of this chapter.
(b) The plans and works provided by the authority, and the works provided under the power of the authority, shall regard primarily the necessary and potential needs for water by or within the area in the authority constituting the watershed of the Neches River and its tributaries.