California is experiencing one of the worst droughts in the past decade, with the heat bubble never seeming to end. This has led to water shortages similar to those seen in other years. However, this year alone Californians are reporting around 125 cases of water theft. This is twice as many as seen in the last decade. 

“Water stealing has never been more severe,” said John Nores. He is the head of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Marijuana Enforcement Team.  Even though the agency has fought water thieves for years, it usually took place in rural areas. Now with theft happening across California, it has been “devastating” communities, he said.

Some experts estimate more than 12 billion gallons of water have been stolen across California since 2013. Legal farming operations, drinking water sources, Native American tribes and small communities are all feeling the effects, according to Mr. Nores. Why is the demand for water going up? And where is the stolen water going?

Cannabis Farms

With the large shortage, thieves are going to any lengths to get water and sell it to the highest bidder. Right now, the winners are illegal cannabis growers. California legalized recreational cannabis use and growth in 2016 and began issuing growing licenses in 2017. However, to get a farm license, the cost is astronomical. For a small outdoor farm, an annual license costs $4,820. This doesn’t cover the costs of labor and upkeep, plus the application fee and any other testing and pesticide guidelines that need to be followed. It’s almost impossible for new or up and coming farmers to apply for a license and continue to afford it. 

This has led many farmers to produce illegally. There are an estimated 5,000 licensed growers who have access to water through legal means. An estimated 25,000 unlicensed and illegal growers who don’t have access to water through legal means circulate around California. In Antelope Valley in LA County, there are around 400 illegal farms, compared to 200 illegal farms just last year. Officials report one farmer even bought a house so he could attach a garden hose to the spigot and drag it miles across the desert to his illegal farm. This farmer’s garden hose operation was stopped, but that didn’t stop the farmer from tapping into water lines and siphoning water. 

All farmers are desperate to get water for their crops, not just cannabis farmers. Fortunately, cannabis isn’t a thirsty plant. It consumes the same amount of water as a tomato plant, which isn’t much. That’s 33 times less water consumption than almonds. 

Water Black Market

Water is an economical commodity along the west coast. With rising planet temperatures and extended droughts, water thieves are going to extreme measures to get water and sell it to the highest bidder. Consequently, each year their methods of stealing become craftier and craftier. Some will steal large water tanks and go directly to rivers and lakes and suction water from the source. This has led to lakes drying up faster than ever before, endangering the local wildlife and residents. 

Homes, farms, and private wells have seen elaborate systems of dams, reservoirs, and pipelines created to divert water to other locations. Fire hydrants are being broken open and the water is put into large water cubes weighing up to one ton. This has led to fatal accidents on the road as the shifting weight of the water can cause the vehicle to lose control. 

Most recently, in Lancaster California, the fire department removed over 100 fire hydrants deemed non-essential to public safety. Those that remain have elaborate locks placed on them to help prevent thievery. Other water locations now use key cards and only operate during the day when heavy security is present along with digital cameras. But the water thieves find a way. 

In July 2013, water thieves made off with 20,000 gallons of water from the Weott Community Services District Board. Then, over the Labor Day weekend, thieves took another 20,000 gallons from Bridgeville Elementary School. Police say the thief drained the school’s water tank with a garden hose and either a water truck or a truck fitted with tanks. 

Now, thieves are stealing directly from fire departments, using MacGyver-like inventions and tools to get the job done. 

Violations

So why aren’t operations stopped? That’s the tricky part. In 2016, when California legalized recreational cannabis, lawmakers also reduced the penalty for illegal operations. If someone is found to be growing a large quantity of cannabis, it’s not a felony, but a misdemeanor. Violations may result in a fine or a short amount of jail time. But with almost no reward or payout, it’s hard to get a judge to sign a warrant for a property. This makes it hard for officers to go out and inspect suspicious properties. 

Additionally, officers who successfully raid and shut down illegal operations, new ones crop up almost instantly. This creates an endless cycle and what one officer called “whack-a-mole.”

Future

California continues to struggle with drought, fire, and now water thieves. One thing is for sure though. When a resource becomes scarce and demand soars, it’s worth stealing. California lawmakers have their hands full trying to figure out how to handle the situation and the water black market continues to grow. Moving forward will be difficult. But it can be done.

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