A state environmental body is to consider whether to force a South Texas town to turn the water back on for its school district so students can return to class.
The La Villa Independent School District has asked the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to issue an emergency order to force La Villa to turn the water and sewer service back on.
The city cut off water to the district shortly after students left for holiday vacation, saying the district owes about $58,000 in unpaid fees. The district has continued paying its bill at an old rate but objected to a December 2012 rate hike.
Classes were to resume Monday, but schools have remained closed.
The Office of Public Interest Counsel has recommended the commission issue the order.
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