TOWN DEPARTMENTS
MEETING DATES
Town Commission
2nd & 4th Tuesday 7 PM
School Advisory
1st Tuesday 7 PM
Planning & Zoning
3rd Tuesday 6:30 PM
Water Theft
The Town of Oakland is cracking down on people who take water illegally from fire hydrants, hose bibs and other sources.
The construction boom in Oakland, west Orange County and east Lake County brings with it a large amount of construction
traffic passing through the community. Because Oakland is close to many large construction job sites,
water theft is becoming an increasing problem, with larger amounts of water stolen every month.
Some unscrupulous subcontractors will illegally tap a hose bib, fire hydrant or unattended outdoor faucet to get water
for cement mixing, fugitive dust control, equipment cleaning, and other construction-related uses.
Oakland's water system serves just the homes and businesses in our small town, along with a few outlying areas.
Thus, theft of "just a few thousand gallons" has a far greater impact on Oakland's water supply than that of nearby,
larger communities. There is also the threat of contaminants being sucked into the town's water supply.
At a time when many of our customers are working hard at water conservation and trying to cut their water costs,
the water thieves, who tamper with meters so that they might obtain "free" service, drive up the water costs for our
other customers - the same way shoplifters drive up the price of merchandise at a department store.
The Town of Oakland will prosecute all water theft. The town may imprison and/or fine water thieves, up to $1000!
Developers and contractors who need to tap into a fire hydrant can do so legally by applying for a permit at the
Water Department and getting a hydrant or hose bib meter. Most Town employees are trained to detect
meter tampering and evidence of water theft.
To report suspected water theft, call Town Hall at 407-656-1117 or the Police Department at 407-656-9797.
Town of Oakland PO Box 98 220 North Tubb Street, Oakland, FL 34760 Phone 407-656-1117 Fax 407-656-2940
