DeKalb Police Warn of Water Meter Theives

By Patch Editor Kiri Walton


DeKalb County Police are warning residents about a recent rash of water meter thefts.

According to the DeKalb County- Center Precinct Facebook page, "There has been a recent series of thefts of water meters. If you see someone working on water meters either during the late night or early morning hours, call 911 and report it. If DeKalb Governement (Water and Sewer) is working on your water meter, there will be a marked county truck on the scene with the DeKalb Government Logo."

Currently, DeKalb Watershed Management crews are working to replace aging brass water meters with new ones made of a composite of plastic, resin and carbon fiber. So far, there are 11,000 new water meters in the field, according to a WM Department spokesman.

Residents who experience water meter theft should first call DeKalb Police and report it and then call the DeKalb Watershed Management Department.

Someone from the WM Department will come out to replace the meter.

"It generally doesn't take too long" for the meters to be replaced, said DeKalb Watershed Management Press Secretary Burke Brennan. A replacement could be installed in about one to two days, he said.

Brennan said it's unlikely that the thefts will continue since the meters are being replaced and the little value they hold if sold for scrap.

"There's no practical application for a water meter other than a water meter," Brennan said. "Water meters are difficult items to steal for very little money."