This act shall be construed liberally to effectuate the legislative intent and purpose and as complete and independent authority for the performance of every act and thing herein authorized. The powers granted to and duties imposed upon a commission by this act are granted or imposed in addition to and not in substitution for existing powers or duties of a commission and of any municipality, and are not subject to any limitation or restriction prescribed in the original act or by any other law excepting only the water supply law. If there shall be any conflict between the terms or provisions of this act and the terms and provisions of the original act, the terms and provisions of this act shall govern, except that nothing contained herein shall be construed to alter the application of the terms and provisions of the original act to any water supply system or plant provided for thereunder, or to any water supply system or plant presently operating thereunder and the contracts entered into in connection therewith.
N.J.S. § 58:5-57