(Newton, Iowa) Someone recently tampered with four water hydrants in Jasper County, and damage to one hydrant near a water tower caused an estimated 300-thousand gallons of water to be lost.
The Jasper County Sheriff's Office is launching a criminal investigation. Tampering with water utilities is a federal offense.
Bruce Yeager, is the facilities manager of Iowa Regional Utilities Association (formerly Central Iowa Water Association). He tells WHO Radio News they noticed a sudden, large amount of water loss December 3rd, around 2:30 a.m. Utility crews responded and made repairs. The water ended up in local farm fields near the water tower.
Firefighters were called out to two separate fires in Jasper County last weekend, in Sully and Prairie City, but authorities say the water loss did not impact their firefighting efforts. The Sheriff's Office says, however, the vandalism to the hydrants could have put local firefighters and citizens at risk.
Damage to three hydrants in Reasoner, and one near the water tower northeast of Prairie City has been repaired.