In a time where many have been impacted financially by this Coronavirus Pandemic, Sebring residents have seen increases in their water bills.

"I've talked to more people who have said, if we can't get this under control they're leaving.", says Kathy Thomas, of Sebring.

She also adds that some have seen their bills spike by as much as 100 percent.

"Over the last three quarters, the water bill has climbed anywhere from twenty-five to eighty dollars per home."

However village manager Jack Haney says the increase had to happen

"We are under direction from the Ohio EPA, to do a water tank project that's over a million dollars.  We would not have gotten the loan for the mandated project had we not done this." said Haney.

As many have asked...why such the big increase? Why now?

"You have to cover the production costs of the water, and we weren't." added Haney

Previously, the production costs were covered subsidized using tax income, and currently the water department must rely on its own funding.

Many of the upgrades needed stemmed from the led crisis a few years back.

"That's why we had to make all those upgrades", Haney said.

Residents may experience even higher rates in the months to come.

"They'll have to go up from here.  They were artificially low.  Every community in Ohio operates under the same rules."

Haney says there is also an option for residents to set up monthly bills, rather than paying each quarter.  You are asked to call the office, or go to Sebring Ohio website.