Look for the ring to help prevent water theft in Durham Region

Whitby, Ontario – The Regional Municipality of Durham, Works Department is asking Durham residents to help stop water theft by reporting suspicious activity around hydrants. The Region has new plastic rings to help the public quickly identify which hydrants are permitted water filling stations.

When: Throughout the spring, summer and fall months.

Where: All municipal water supply hydrants in Durham Region.

Why: The plastic ring contains the Regional logo, identifies the hydrant as a permitted filling station, and provides a contact number to report unauthorized use. Every year, thousands of litres of water are illegally taken from Durham Region fire hydrants. Water theft has the potential to damage the fire hydrant—rendering it inoperable when it is needed during emergencies—and poses a threat to local water quality. If a hydrant doesn’t have a plastic ring and someone is taking water from it; they are stealing water!

The Region has a Hydrant Permitting program and a Water By-law, which detail how companies can obtain a permit to legally take a specified amount of water for a cost. Through the permit program, only approved water haulers should be filling up at hydrants. Hydrant permits can be obtained at any of Durham Region’s depots; for contact information visit www.durham.ca/depots.

Note: To report suspected water theft, please email watertheft@durham.ca, or call 905-668-7711 or 1-800-372-1102 ext. 3488 with details about the location, company name, licence plate, and/or a photograph if possible. For more information, visit www.durham.ca/watertheft.

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For more information, please contact Corporate Communications.