AUBURN -- The city council may have lacked forethought into the ripple effect it caused by implementing a policy of shutting off people's water if they haven't paid their bills.

After alerting residents of its ability to turn off water in homes with outstanding water bills, the comptroller's office and the water billing office fielded hundreds of calls from worried residents, some with unique tenant/landlord situations.

City manager Mark Palesh gave comptroller Lisa Green the authority to work with debtors on an individual basis.

"It's understandable that someone forgets to pay one bill. It's when they get two delinquent bills," Green said.

Councilor Matt Smith suggested the city draft a detailed list of situations so Green could have more consistent direction. For example, the city could start the shutoff process for someone who hadn't paid two water bills in a row, or owes more than a set amount.

The council will delve into the situation next week. The city doesn't plan to revoke the policy, but rather reform in-house reaction to the flood of calls.

Palesh admits the threat of shutting off the water is extreme, but says he hopes the city will rarely be pushed to go that far.

For more, read Friday's Citizen