I estimate high of what the bill would be and put it on their lease, I have not had any issues this way and if the water bill goes up, I will increase on the next lease. 

That certificate would show open taxes, water, housing violations, citations, condemnations, receiverships, construction liens and other municipal liens.

In addition, I will also be paying much closer attention to water flow patterns and signs of erosion around our next investment!  

An alternative to batteries is a "water battery". 

You might need a 2nd well if you're not on city water. 

Still, if you’ve got someone on the ground who truly knows how to navigate these waters, it’s like being handed a map with all the back roads highlighted.

So you would spend around $25-$30k a month (this was 15 years ago) on police details and require union gate and non union gate if you had non union workforce as well.In DC area, the utility providers are a huge challenge, whether getting permanent power, or water/sewer service etc - good luck.

With the lower price point rentals, you basically just tread water.

The rental might be vacant for a month,(8% loss) or a tenant might not pay for a month while you pay to evict them.(8-16% loss)  A $1,000 appliance/water heater, or a $8k rook or hvac unit might go out.(5-40% loss)  You should be paying a PM 8%.

If the security deposit is not going to cover the the water bill or damages, try to scare him into covering the balance by hinting at sending him to collections and it will appear on any future credit pulls he may have done.