You can help stop water theft

The Works Department is asking Durham residents to help stop water theft by reporting suspicious activity around hydrants. The Region has plastic rings to help you quickly identify which hydrants are permitted water filling stations.

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!

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, license plate, and/or a photograph if possible. For more information, visit durham.ca/WaterTheft.