The Jean and George Fonseca have lived at their home in Steubenville for the past 15 years.

When there was an issue with the water line on their street that city crews were trying locate and fix, crews eventually found something outside of their home and began working outside of their house.

After the repairs, were made they were left with a bill for the work – something the Fonsecas were not expecting

"A couple of hours later, they came over to me and my husband and they said they had found a leak and there was a lot of water that was gushing out somewhere,” Mrs. Fonseca said.

The Fonsecas thought, since it was in the road that belongs to the city, the city would foot the bill -- a bill for thousands of dollars.

"And I said, ‘Why? That's on city property. It's not on my property,’” Mr. Fonseca said. “I maintain the grass, but I can't afford everything."

When looking for an explanation on their responsibility as homeowners for the cost of the repairs, they were given a city ordinance that reads, in part: “Any leakage in the service line shall be promptly repaired according to the city plumbing code and is the responsibility of the property owner."

"We talked to our neighbors, and they were not aware that this ordinance even existed,” Mrs. Fonseca said. “And since we've talked to them, they're kind of nervous."

NEWS9 asked Steubenville Councilman Eric Timmons, who chairs the council's public utilities committee, if there is anything more the city can do to alert residents about the existing ordinance and potential expenses they might incur.

"I think it's a good ordinance and we'll have to look into the situation a little bit more,” Timmons said. “This is the first I'm hearing about it and thank you for passing along their information and see if there is anything I can do to help."

Timmons was asked if there was any recourse for the couple.

"There is a payment plan we can do and, other than that, there is a water review board that could look at it, as well,” he said. “So, I'll suggest that maybe they look into that."

The Fonsecas hope to let other residents know about the potential of receiving a bill like this if a repair is made.

"If you've got a family and you've got a big bill on top of that it's going to take a lot from that family,” Mr. Fonseca said.

"We need to alert the homeowners that it might come down their pike and they might be having to pay out,” Mrs. Fonseca added.