By Jeremy Sollars
Operators of unmarked water tankers have been stealing water in broad daylight – and at all hours of the night – from the Warwick water treatment plant on Glen Road for several weeks.
The practice has now been stopped after local residents became suspicious and alerted the Southern Downs Regional Council.
Umpteen truck movements have been observed over at least the last three weeks with the tankers pulling up to the standpipe just off the side of the road and hooking industrial hoses up to it and making off with what is understood to be raw water from Connolly Dam, not suitable for drinking.
Unlike the water standpipe near the Wallace Street bridge the treatment plant standpipe is not metered, so those accessing the water have been doing so free of charge.
The Free Times has asked the council for a statement.
Residents in the vicinity of the treatment plant say tankers have been coming and going at all hours of the day and night and when their operators have been questioned they have been given vague responses such as, “It’s for roadworks”.
Locals have also questioned why no council staff appear to have been aware of the water theft and acted earlier to stop it.
Instead it is believed a resident contacted Mayor Tracy Dobie directly last Thursday or Friday.
It is understood the standpipe was disabled late last week and that security cameras have been installed today, Monday 25 February.
More to come.
