Illegal Hydrant Tapping

Our office has been notified of illegal water use from hydrants in the Fizzben Heights area.  These calls are being documented and recorded.   Juniper Riviera has procedures in place to identify water theft and will take aggressive action to stop it. We also appreciate the public’s assistance in reporting water theft and other suspicious activities. If you are aware of water theft taking place at a property, or are suspicious that water theft may be occurring, please contact us at (833) 998-4279 .

Evidence will be collected and that evidence will be used to pursue prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. Help us protect our water supply by reporting suspicious activity around water supply equipment.

Juniper Riviera  takes water theft seriously.  Stealing water is illegal and is considered a criminal offense; violators can be arrested, jailed and/or be required to pay fines.

California Penal Code Felony PC 498(d): When the district attorney charges felony theft of utility services (PC498(d)-F), the defendant may face up to three years in the county jail upon conviction. A probation sentence, with or without a jail commitment, might be possible after a felony PC 498(d) conviction.

Public Disclosure Requirements

Customers should be aware that under the California Public Records Act (Section 6254.16(d) of Government Code 6250, et seq.)  JRCWD is required to release the name, home address and water use data of customers using water in violation of Juniper Riviera's regulations and ordinance if that data is requested pursuant to a Public Records Act request. The relevant section is Government Code Section 6254.16(d) of the Public Records Act.

When JRCWD receives a valid public records request for information about violations of its water theft penalty ordinance, our office will comply and the media may publish that information. JRCWD understands customers' concerns about their private information and will only release information which is required to be released by law. JRCWD takes customer privacy very seriously and has a practice of never voluntarily releasing customer information to a third party unless required by law. 

Report a Tip / Crime

We encourage and promote community involvement on all levels 

Anonymous Tip Line

The phone number (833) 998-4279 was established to create a partnership between the Apple Valley Sheriffs Office and the Juniper Riviera County Water District community to prevent and control  water theft and tampering of district owned facilities.  If you are aware of a crime or wanted person in our community, you are encouraged to call the local Apple Valley Sheriffs Office at (760) 247-7400.  When leaving information, you can remain anonymous or leave contact information for follow up opportunities.  

Getting Involved

You may ask yourself, "why should I get involved?" The answer is simple.  Contacting the Anonymous Tip Line (833) 998-4279 will not only help prevent future water theft, but it enhances the overall quality of life of everyone in our community by getting criminals, who target innocent people, off the streets. It also helps hold offenders accountable for their actions.

Hydrant tapping without the use of a backflow prevention device can increase the chances for contamination, which poses a risk for harming customers.  Additionally, our customers must absorb the cost of stolen water through higher rates.

How to Submit a Tip

You can safely and anonymously submit your crime tips in several convenient ways:

• Call an anonymous tip line at (833) 998-4279 
• Visit www.jrcwd.org/illegal-hydrant-tapping-water-theft and completing the Water Tamper Form
• Visit our district office to let staff members aware of the situation, 25715 Santa Rosa Road
• Writing a letter and either hand-deliver to the abovementioned district office or mail to P.O. Box 618, Lucernce Valley, CA 92356.