SANDY TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Residents of one Clearfield County community are blaming a legal battle for their high water rates.

The battle, between Sandy Township and the city of DuBois, goes back to the late-80s.

People in Sandy Township said the battle is starting to affect their water and sewage bills.

Some residents are turning to their background wells to help take a bite out of their water bills.

"We use it to water the grass and to wash our cars," said Phillip Dieringer. "But, I'm not sure if it helps."

Dieringer said his sewer bill usually is around $90 but recently rose to around $250.

Township officials said the legal dispute has nothing to do with rising water rates.

They admitted that sewage rates were increasing because of a recent multimillion dollar project.