A new program in Mount Vernon hopes to help homeowners with water and sewer line issues.

Mount Vernon officials announced a new partnership with Service Line Warranties of America (SWLA) on Wednesday to launch a program that will help homeowners pay for repairs to water and sewer lines that burst, break or leak.

Homeowners can enroll in the program that works like insurance.

Exterior water service line coverage is $5.75 a month, exterior sewer/septic line coverage is $7.75 a month or homeowners can get both packages for a discounted rate of $12.14 a month. The optional coverage would cover $8,500 per call with no deductible.

SWLA representatives said they utilize local contractors and have an emergency repair service hotline operation 24/7.

The program is an answer to residents’ concerns as the city is in the process of repairing and replacing it's aging and sewer lines.

Many residents report sewer backups in their homes but find that the issue may be with lines on their own property, which the city is not responsible for.