The Flomaton Town Council said it will be cracking down on theft of water services for those who abandon past water bills with Mayor Dewey Bondurant Jr., saying the town lost about $85,000 over the past five to seven years in delinquent water bills.
Councilman Jim Johnson brought up the subject asking about the theft of water.
Utilities Superintendent Shaun Moye said the town has had instances of people stealing water but said a new system installed in the town has allowed them to catch some of them.
Moye said some of the thefts came from people breaking the locks on water meters and told the council as of Monday night charges have been pressed against five individuals. He noted two have cleared up their past bills.
Moye also noted if the theft is determined to be under $500 it's a misdemeanor, but if it's more than $500 it's a felony.
“We can't let it ride,” Moye said. “We can't go four or five months, people move and they don't pay their water bill.”
