Final Water Bill of $2000 After Closing. Looking for Advice

[Heath S.]

I recently sold a property in Michigan.  The city went out for the final water meter reading to get the final amount due and it turns out that the final bill is about $2K.  

The Escrow company held back $400, the city issued a final bill of $243, which title paid.  Then, after closing the city went back out to the property and apparently the water meter is inside the house so they use a remote meter that is on the outside of the house to get readings each month.  Well this meter was undercharging me for 10 years and now the city wants me to pay $2K.  This is a 2 unit property and the water bill was about $250 every 2 months which seemed totally normal.  I paid the water for the tenants, it was included in their rent.  

Now that the property is sold, it is technically the new owners responsibility since the water bill stays with the property and would be added to the tax bill if its not paid.  I don't want them to end up with the bill, but I also don't think that is right that the city has this faulty meter that has been accruing since 2005 and now I have to pay a lump sum.  

I tried calling the city and they said that ''it was water that was used, the meter in the house is correct, there's nothing we can do.''

Has anyone had any previous experience with something like this?  Is there recourse that the new owners can take against me?  Would the title company deal with an issue like this?  

I'm battling with whether I should just pay the bill and move on or battle a little bit on this since I feel like the city has an obligation to keep their equipment working properly.

Let me know what you think.  Thanks