Durham residents are being asked 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, said the Works Department.
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. Report them.