Water Liens

Hello,

We have purchased a home in the Helendale area. The water company has a lien on the property for a pretty large amount. They said they are a government community service so they have the right to lien the property for unpaid bills. Instead of lien going to the actually old owner. So now as the new owner we have to pay the unpaid bills of the last owner in order to turn service on. Do you know of any ways around this? Can they actully make us pay the previous owners water bills? Do you know of any sources I can call to try and waive this payment? The water company wont budge.

Thank you,

Vanessa
Ion Home Solutions