Maryland Public Utility Companies Section 5-411

      A water company may acquire by condemnation, in accordance with Title 12 of the Real Property Article, any land or water rights that the company is authorized to acquire to lay pipes or construct its work, if:

            (1)      the company cannot agree with the owner of the land or water rights; or

            (2)      an owner:

                  (i)      is a minor, is adjudged to be mentally incompetent, or is under any other legal disability to contract; or

                  (ii)      when the company needs the land or water rights, is absent from the county or city in which the property is located.