WHITEWATER, Wis. -- Many are starting coming forward, to help a local Marine currently battling the city of Whitewater.

A sewer main backup in early July caused more than $20,000 damage to Lt. Joe Cull's home. The Marine is currently fighting in Afghanistan -- and in July, he got word that a sewer backup in Whitewater caused extensive damage to his home. The city maintained -- as it still does -- that it cannot be held liable for the damage.

Cull's story has made its way across the state -- most recently on the radio airwaves in Milwaukee. The Marine is expected to return to his home in November with a $20,000 repair bill -- for a sewer main block that happened off his property.

"They don't want to claim any liability or personal responsibility?" one radio listener asked on 620 AM in Milwaukee. "I think that's kind of unbelievable."

Another listener said, "I think that's crap, to be honest with you. We had the same situation."

While many believe the city should take responsibility, WISC-TV spoke with Whitewater's city manager, Kevin Brunner, who said the problem is out of the city's hands.

"Those property owners submit a claim with the city," Brunner said. "We, in turn, pass that along to our insurance company, who investigates and determines whether or not there was any liability on our behalf. We're always concerned when people have this occur to them -- it's not a nice situation. And doubly so for this poor guy who's 5,000 miles away, defending us overseas."

"It shouldn't be me because I'm overseas -- that should have nothing to do with it," Cull said last week. "It should have to do with the fact that people in Wisconsin pay taxes, so when things like this happen, they are protected by the city or by the municipality."

Brunner said the city does all it can to prevent messes like these -- with a specific and aggressive sewer maintenance program. He says there's only so much the city can be responsible for.

"Across the state, I was told that only 26 percent of the claims are paid, because the municipal utilities really don't know if there are problems," Brunner said.

Two groups have come forward since Cull's story came out with an interest in helping him pay for some of the damage. City officials said they will work with whoever comes forward to help facilitate any fundraising.

In the meantime, Cull said he isn't backing down. He said he has retained a lawyer, and plans to fight this when he returns in November.