Report: Water meter thefts cost Santa Clara thousands

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Tuesday, August 11, 2015
In this photo taken Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014, is a water meter being installed at the site of a new home under construction in Fresno, Calif.
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SANTA CLARA, Calif. (KGO) -- Water meter thefts are costing the city of Santa Clara thousands of dollars.

Our media partner, the San Jose Mercury News, reports the thefts amount to $40,000 in the past few weeks. Apparently the thieves are stealing the meters for the copper wires inside.

The thefts come as Cal Fire in Santa Cruz reports thousands of dollars in water thefts.

ABC7 News was there last week as crews began locking up fire hydrants to prevent unauthorized use.

VIDEO: Cal Fire offers locks for Scotts Valley hydrants to stop water theft

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