The city council may provide for the paying of the cost of laying and extending water main pipes by such city by levying a special assessment, as herein provided, on the lots and tracts of land fronting or abutting on either side of the street, avenue or alley along the distance so improved in proportion to the front foot, whenever a majority of the resident owners of the property liable to taxation therefor and who shall own a majority of the front feet owned by residents of the city abutting on the street or alley along which the improvement is to be made, shall petition the city council for such improvement; or whenever such body, in its discretion, shall deem extension of water mains necessary for sanitary or other purposes conducive to the public welfare.

(Code 1964, § 14.930)