Notice - Do Not Tamper With Water System

King Creek WSC Board of Directors would like to bring some very important information to your attention as a result of recent events involving customers removing water supply property.

We realize that it may not be understood the serious legal implications associated with tampering with a public utility.  It may also not be understood that being a member of King Creek WSC does not give you authorization to perform work on the water system or its equipment even if located on your property.  Our Tariff, which is filed with the Texas Public Utility Commission, defines “Tampering” as:

• Removing a locking or shut-off device used by the Corporation to discontinue service;
• Physically disorienting the meter tap;
• Attaching objects to the meter tap to divert service or to by-pass;
• Inserting objects into the meter tap;
• Other electrical and mechanical means of tampering with, by-passing, or diverting service;
• Connection or reconnection of service without Corporation authorization;
• Connection into the service line of adjacent customers of the Corporation;
• Preventing the supply from being correctly registered by a metering device due to adjusting the valve so that flow is reduced below metering capability.

Texas law is very clear; King Creek WSC has legal justification and our Tariff authorizes King Creek WSC to bring criminal charges against the customer who tampers with the water utility.  Charges may be possible under Texas Water Code Sec. 49.228 which makes a person who willfully destroys, defaces, damages, or interferes with district or water supply corporation property guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.   Class B misdemeanors can carry up to a $2,000 fine, and up to 180 days in jail, or both. 

King Creek WSC can also bring criminal charges against the customer under Texas Penal Code Section 28.03 Criminal Mischief who intentionally or knowingly damages or destroys tangible property, tampers with tangible property, or defaces tangible property as a Class A Misdemeanor.  Class A misdemeanors can carry up to a $4,000 fine, up to 1 year in jail, or both. 

In addition to these misdemeanor charges, and other service fees due, King Creek WSC has the discretion to charge the customer an additional penalty that does not exceed six (6) times the Base Rate.  At the current base rate that penalty could be as much as $186. 

King Creek WSC takes incidents of this nature very seriously to ensure public safety and service availability.  We want to emphasize that the Water Service Agreement, which all members have agreed to, and our Tariff explicitly prohibit any form of tampering with King Creek WSC property. 

We ask that you contact King Creek WSC directly and immediately if you have any issues, outages, or concerns with the water supply. 

Sincerely,

Board of Directors

King Creek Water Supply Corporation