HB&TS is on the lookout for instances of water theft, a crime that most often occurs when water is taken from a fire hydrant without the required authorization of HB&TS. Contractors that use tanker trucks that are used to fertilize, irrigate or for dust control purposes often connect to fire hydrant without the appropriate tools or knowledge of the risks that they take. Not only are they stealing water, they are creating a cross connection, as to where chemicals or bacteria from the tank they are filling can be siphoned back into the publics drinking water supply.
Contractors that need to use water from a fire hydrant are required to apply and obtain a fire hydrant meter from our office that is supplied with a backflow prevention device. The backflow prevention device will prevent any siphoning of contaminated water from the tanker truck to the publics drinking water supply.
HB&TS wants its customers to know that taking water from a hydrant without the proper authority and meter is against the law and a hazard to their safe drinking water. If you feel that someone is taking water from a hydrant illegally, please notify our office or the local law enforcement.
