The number of known meter tampering instances have exploded in the last two years, from 29 in 2007, to 340 in 2008, to 319 for the first 11 months of fiscal year 2009.
Temple turns over to a collection agency more than $12,000 per month in unpaid water bills - almost $150,000 per year. The collection agency charges 23 percent, on average.
Besides the lost revenue, the city wants to stop people from tapping into the water supply because opening a line could allow mud, dirt and other contaminants in the system. All city workers who install meters are certified by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Although the city sometimes pulls meters to thwart the most egregious offenders, these water thieves use a method called straight lining to keep the water running. They insert a pipe that taps into the supply line, and the water flows again, leaving the city no way to record gallons used.
“We pulled a straight line out. We went out the next day to check it again, and they had a car parked on top of it, with the wheel on top of the meter box so we couldn’t check it,” Heather Mikulas, utility business office manager said. “So we called the police. They got them to move the car. And they had done another straight line. And this was professional plumber glue.”
Water meters that were turned off when someone moved out, or for non-payment, have sometimes mysteriously appeared at homes across town, far from the residences where city workers installed them.
And there’s the ongoing cat-and-mouse game: A non-payer turns on the water meter not long after the city worker who shut if off drives away.
Water bandits have also tapped into fire hydrants, usually for commercial purposes, without paying.
In an effort to dam up the flow of unpaid water running through Temple pipes, the city is seeking several fee increases.
Tampering fee will increase to $125, up from $40, and be called unauthorized use of water.
Breaking a meter, $75, up from zero.
Breaking a lock $45, up from $6.
If the city pulls a meter, because of non-payment or chronic tampering with city equipment - $75, up from zero.
Removing a service line, $500, up from zero.
Tuesday morning, city worker Musante Cabiness disconnected a meter in front of a West Temple home. A few days ago, an astute meter reader had checked the ID number and discovered it belonged at a home across town where the water was disconnected for non-payment.
“We pulled the meter because they were using it (city water) and not paying for it. And now another meter showed up,” said Heather Mikulas, utility business office manager. “So we checked it out and it belonged to a house in another part of town.”
The spike in water thievery began about the time the economy went south and the unemployment rate shot up. That’s no surprise to the director of a Temple non-profit agency that assists low-income people.
“Desperate people do desperate things,” said Judy Morales, Temple Help Center director. “A lot more of the middle class are losing their jobs. I don’t think we’ve been hit as hard as other areas, but we still have a lot of hurting people. Water and electricity are two of the basics people need for everyday living and they’re going to do what they have to do, unfortunately.”
If the city council approves the increased fees and fines, they would go into effect Oct. 1.
