The former general manager of a Central California water district is accused of stealing more than $25 million in federally owned water by exploiting a leak in a canal.
The Madras High Court has directed authorities concerned not to extend the government welfare schemes such as agriculture loan and subsidy for seeds and fertilizers to persons who illegally tap water.
As California faces what is predicted to be one of its worst droughts in recorded history, water managers are seeing record increases in water theft, leaving communities angry and police chasing water bandits constantly on the move. Byrhonda Lyons of CalMatters, the nonprofit news site, has the story of how water meant for residential use is flowing to illegal marijuana farms.