Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, every public agency empowered by law to contract with the state for a water supply is hereby granted, in addition to and not in derogation or limitation of the powers conferred upon the public agency by any other law, the power to enter into a contract with the department for a commitment in accordance with this chapter and to comply with the provisions of any such contract and the same powers with regard to such a loan commitment as are granted to public agencies under Sections 12887.1, 12887.2, 12887.3, 12887.6, 12887.7, and 12887.8.