Well, I called Calaveras County Water District this morning to find out their intentions with respect to cutting their lock last Friday morning--when they should've been open for business serving their customers, but weren't. I was straight up with them: "You should have been open for business, I should have gone through the routine for not paying on time, and you should have restored service within a very short time. This was impossible due to your unwarranted closure, I had prior commitments, so I cut your lock." Well, I'm happy to report that they were very businesslike about it. I'd done my research, prior, and turns out they can prosecute under Section 625 of the California Penal Code (misdemeanor offense). Instead, they charged $32 for replacement of the lock, were happy to take a credit card, and were also happy to take an additional $50 so I'd be paid up a coupla months in advance. Sold. Alright then.