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The Limestone County Water & Sewer Authority is asking residents to stop stealing water from hydrants for the sake of other customers.

Daryl Williamson, chief executive officer for the utility, said it’s a growing concern, and added there are a number of issues associated with the practice. One of those includes possible contamination of the system.

“Those hydrants don’t have a backflow preventer and water can be pulled back into the system, which could hurt the public,” he said.

Williamson gave an example of someone using the water to fill a water tank. If there are dangerous chemicals in the tank and someone is running a hose from the hydrant to the tank, those chemicals may get sucked back into the water supply.

“That could introduce algae into our system,” he said.

The practice may also damage the hydrant, which could render it useless in case of an emergency.

“If it’s in a non-operational status, and (firefighters) don’t know it, when it’s needed it may not work,” Williamson said.

Shutting a hydrant down after use could cause other problems within the system. Williamson said an abrupt shutdown can create a “water hammer.”

“That abrupt stop sends shock waves down the pipe and it can cause a main break, leaving people without water,” he said.

When asked about the most common offenders, Williamson said it varies.

“We see it in areas where we’re having a lot of growth and in very remote areas,” he said.

Previous investigations found people were stealing water to fill up water tanks, to clean out livestock trailers and even to fill up ponds.

Williamson asked anyone with information about water thefts to call the LCWSA’s customer service line at 256-233-6444.