WEST CHESTER TWP. — Water will be shut off at the end of the month at an apartment complex if the complex owners don't pay their outstanding water bill of more than $75,000.

Wyndtree Rental Community on Smith Road off Ohio 747 owes $75,463 to the Butler County Department of Environmental Services, according to an Oct. 17 letter from Director James. A. Parrott to the complex's Columbus management company.

The Wyndtree apartments in West Chester Township. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

Officials threatened to shut off the water last month because of the outstanding bill, but postponed any action when the complex made an $11,534 payment, the letter reads.

“The other customers of the Butler County Water System cannot subsidize the cost of providing water service to your facilities,” Mr. Parrott wrote.

The township's zoning and planning director, Brian Elliff, said the complex has been “a problem property” because of trash and debris strewn around, lack of landscaping and other issues. Police also frequently patrol the complex because there are numerous calls there, records show.

“We have been trying to stay on top of them as far as property issues but it is kind of telling when the maintenance starts to go,” Mr. Elliff said. “If their water is turned off they are out of business. It's just amazing that a property so new can go into decline so quickly.”

The complex opened in 2000, has 236 people living in 297 units and a tax-credit program for low-income residents, complex officials said.

Residents were angered Tuesday about the outstanding water bill and threat of no water.

“Water is one of our most important things in life,” said Sally Alatishe, 37, who lives in a first-story unit with her husband and 2-month-old son, Elijah Attah, and daughter, Ayinna Alatishe, 4. “I need to boil water for my baby's bottles. We have rights and they are disrespecting and disregarding us. They should at least warn us so we can start storing water.”

Larke Recchie, chief executive officer of Affiniti Management LLC of Columbus, said she has not seen Mr. Parrott's letter but did say the complex's construction contractor defaulted. The company had to complete the project while fighting to get the funds from the building contractor, she said.

By April, they will have $1 million to settle the water bill and to put leftover funds in a reserve account, she said.

Ms. Recchie was optimistic the water bill delinquency would be worked out with the county so the water could remain on and pledged a payment would be made before the end of the month.

“I just hate to see a lot of unnecessary panic on this and it causes problems attracting additional renters,” she said. “We have the problems solved.”

Mr. Parrott, however, said the company has not been consistent in paying the bill and the purpose of the letter is to obtain more timely payments and to avoid water shut-off.

“We want to negotiate a reasonable payment plan and have it adhered to,” he said. “I have no doubts this can be worked out.”

E-mail jedwards@enquirer.com.

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