County Warns of Penalties for Stealing Water

Carroll County reminds citizens and businesses that it strictly enforces the Bureau of Utilities Theft policy, according to a press release.

The policy protects against the theft of water from the county’s distribution system. Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the number of water thefts by contractors, subcontractors, lawn maintenance personnel and others, the release reports.

Roberta Windham, a Carroll County administrative coordinator, said the theft comes from people and businesses illegally accessing water through fire hydrants.

"Some places actually rent out the use of fire hydrants, to pool filling companies and companies that need a lot of water, but we don't do that," Windham said.

The county encourages citizens to report any suspected water theft to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office for investigation. Once an investigation is initiated and it is determined that water has been stolen, the Bureau of Utilities will conduct a formal assessment to determine if any damages occurred during the theft or tampering with a hydrant.

Civil penalties associated with tampering/damaging a meter or theft of water can be as much as $1,000 for each incident and must be paid within 15 days of receiving an invoice from the Bureau, according to the release. In addition to the fine, the offending company or person will be billed for all water potentially withdrawn from the County system. The minimum estimate will be 1,000 gallons.

In addition to these monetary fines, the bureau said it has the right to pursue criminal charges in addition to civil fines and actual costs associated with the theft, and the bureau will pursue criminal charges if civil fines or damages assessed by the bureau are not paid within 15 days of the invoice.

"There shouldn't be anyone messing with the fire hydrants. People without the proper tools can damage the hydrants," Windham said.