Peterborough Utilities is asking the public to keep an eye out for scofflaws siphoning water from the city’s fire hydrants.
“We don’t want to make a federal case out of this,” said David Whitehouse, vice-president of customer and corporate services with the Peterborough Utilities Group. “We just want people to do the right thing.”
READ MORE: Water hydrant theft in Etobicoke
Whitehouse said the issue came to light a few weeks ago when customers noticed contractors using hydrants to fill up vacuum trucks.
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Accessing a fire hydrant without the proper equipment does create a risk for water contamination, though Whitehouse said it’s a small one.
The greater issue, he said, is the loss of revenue to the city and accessing this particular city service without permission.
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Whitehouse said the city can accommodate contractors who need to access water through a fire hydrant.
The utilities company can equip the hydrant with a backflow preventer and a metre to ensure the process is safe, and the water is paid for.
Whitehouse adds that the city sells water in bulk, at a very low price –$1 for 800 litres.
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