Water theft

Water theft is illegal tapping of water supply systems. Together with losses from water leaks in the piping, water theft is one of the major factors contributing to non-revenue water. Thames Water estimated losses by theft to amount to 2 to 3 million litres (660,000 imp gal; 790,000 US gal) per year in 2017, flowing through 734 unauthorized connections.^[1] The basic controversy, however, of whether there can be such a thing as water theft (by individuals and for personal use, that is), is open.^[2]