The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

I can't believe what I'm hearing and reading about turning off water service for "nuisance violations" and water bill outstanding balances. The two issues are unrelated and the business about unpaid bills seems to have appeared as an afterthought to justify the water shut off threats.

First of all, denying water is a health and safety violation to the surrounding neighbors. No water means no toilet to flush.

Second, when a bill isn't paid and no token money is received for 90 days, the city can place a lien on the property for monies owed. That lien will compound interest so the city will c...