Cleveland's water department produces a fine product: clean, crisp tap water. But customer service woes, an aging network of underground pipes and a stiff increase in rates have many customers howling. None louder than Westlake, which is exploring a plan to buy water from neighboring Avon Lake. Cleveland officials say such a defection will be a lot more expensive than Westlake leaders are letting on.

Dennis Clough, Mayor, Westlake

Darnell Brown, Chief Operating Officer, City of Cleveland

Julius Ciaccia, Executive Director, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

Mayor Don Kuchta, Macedonia