Drought Prompts Thieves To Hit Fire Hydrants

A dangerous consequence of the historic California drought: People have taken to prying open fire hydrants and stealing the water.

"The reports are coming from East Contra Costa County where people rely on well water," according to ABC 30. Kings County is also concerned about the issue.

"The Public Works Department in Lemoore, in Kings County, hired someone to scan city streets for thieves after officials found evidence that someone has been stealing water from fire hydrants," National Journal reported.

As wells dry up, thousands of gallons of water are going missing from hydrants, the ABC report said. Thieves tap the hydrants with hoses. 

In the Dublin-San Ramon Services District, a construction crew was recently caught stealing 700 gallons of water.

Not such a cost-effective crime, according to officials.

"It was a $2,084 fine; $12.88 was the cost of the water. How ridiculous," according to Sue Stephenson of the Dublin-San Ramon Services District, per the report.

Observers remarked on the "brazenness" of the crime. 

"A district inspector found the crew tapping the hydrant and directed the workers to stop, officials said. The crew obliged, but when the inspector passed by an hour later, the workers had allegedly returned with their hoses," the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

In some water districts, the fine is not so high, but officials are contemplating raising them, according to a district official.

"Our board is now considering increasing the fine that we have in place in order to create more of a deterrent for people that might be tempted to steal," the Contra Costa Water District official said in the ABC report.

At the moment, "Contra Costa County fines anyone caught stealing water $25," National Journal reported. "Amid worsening theft, the county may soon increase the penalty to $250 and up the amount to $500 for repeat offenders."

The result of this kind of theft: a black market for water.

"From high-profile heists in Modesto, where six homeowners were fined $1,500 for allegedly taking water from a canal, to the Sierra town of North San Juan, where authorities are trying to figure out who robbed a fire department tank, a drought-heightened demand for water has fueled something of a statewide market for stolen water," the Chronicle reported.