A local non-profit putting up reward money to catch a water thief. Recent water thefts from San Juan Ridge schools, community organizations, and now the North San Juan Fire Department have created a public safety issue. Americans for Safe Access Nevada County Chair, Patricia Smith, says her organization is offering a reward to the person providing information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the water thief.

Click here to listen to Patricia Smith

Over the past several months, over 15,000 gallons of water have been siphoned from Ridge agencies the most recent being 8000 gallons from the Fire Department.
Because the Ridge is known as a productive marijuana cultivation area, an assumption has been made that the water thief is a suspected marijuana cultivator. Smith says that if it is a grower, she wants them to be caught and punished.

Click here to listen to Patricia Smith

Smith also points out that her organization focuses on growing in a manner that is not harmful to the environment including using water-wise techniques for irrigation. Anyone with information regarding the water theft and possible suspects is urged to call the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.