Wellston Dealing With Water Thieves
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Updated: 7:22 PM Nov 19, 2009
Wellston Dealing With Water Thieves
Stealing money, electronics, even jewelry is a common problem in many communities. But, one local town is seeing stolen water to the tune of about $50,000.
Posted: 7:13 PM Nov 19, 2009
Reporter: Carrie Cline
Email Address: carrie.cline@wsaz.com
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WELLSTON, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Stealing money, electronics, even jewelry is a common problem in many communities.

But, one local town is seeing stolen water to the tune of about $50,000. It’s causing major budget problems. However, the water thefts aren’t so much a sign of the times as they are the sign of a much bigger problem.

“I think it’s ridiculous that the city hasn’t investigated this sooner,” said Mark McNeely.

McNeely is fed up with the water thefts in Wellston, Ohio.

“The hardworking people stretch to get our bills paid while there are others getting a free ride and not paying their water bills,”McNeely said.

The scheme is simple. After the water company turns off a customer’s water for non-payment, that customer goes and turns it back on. Others are bypassing the water meter altogether.

Officer Todd Shong has been investigating the thefts since September. The number of offenders is adding up to more than 100 people owing $50,000 in stolen water.

“Then, there are the hundreds of thousands of dollars from delinquent bills not paid,” said Officer Shong.

When asked by WSAZ.com’s Carrie Cline if Mr. McNeely thought these thefts of a basic utility were a sign of the times, McNeely replied, “No, people are doing it because they know they can get away with it.”

No matter what the reason is behind the water thefts, people are being charged and could face jail time for their crimes.

Most of the charges for stealing water are misdemeanors but, there are quite a few people charged with felonies, which means they stole more than $500.00 worth of water.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Rev Mike on Nov 25, 2009 at 12:27 PM

To Margie, as manager of WVPSD, YOU should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for all the price gouging you people have allowed for so long! revmike420@gmail.com
Posted by: Margie on Nov 23, 2009 at 05:24 PM

As manager of a West Virginia PSD, these people should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. And if anyone is not paying their water bill, the city needs to pull the meters until the bill is paid.
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 20, 2009 at 11:56 PM

Wow this city is concerned about water theft what a joke. If they realy wanna fix the budget in wellston how about fixing all the broken meters and lines first but when they do stop sending out 7-8 guys at night on overtime when its probably a 2-3 man job.And heaven forbid when you have to report a leak why it often takes a few days to get it fixed and dont expect them to fix any damage done to the homeowners property that they did fixing a line that was on thier side of the meter. Better yet why do so many of the water dept run around in city trucks on personal time ? Oh and when are they gonna finnaly abide by the EPA guide lines and fix the water treament plant so the citizens in wellston can even drink the water
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