Tenant Water Bill

[Keith Schulz]

I have a tenant that has been in one of my duplexes for 3 years. She's the type that always pays her rent (but sometimes a few days late). However, she's almost always behind on her water bill (which is billed directly to her from the city). However, now that it's getting close to property tax time, the city sent a letter saying it would be attached to the property taxes if it's not paid by November 15th.

I've never had this issue before with any other tenants. I guess I did have one tenant that didn't pay their final water bill, but I deducted that from their security deposit. In any case, what would you do in this situation? How can I enforce that she pays it in the middle of a lease period? Technically I suppose she is in viloation of her lease, and I could issue a 5 day notice to cure, but I hate to piss off a genrally good long term tenant over $200. What are your thoughts?

Thanks