Cops: 2 Kids Charged With Water Station Vandalism That Led to Ban

LEDYARD, CT—The "male juveniles" Monday broke into the East Drive water pumping station and vandalized it, police say. That breach cause a public health alert and caution for customers to boil water as a precaution.

After finding physical evidence at the Southeastern Connecticut Water Authority station, police say, they arrested two male juveniles and charged each with third-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief and third-degree criminal trespass.

The boys, whose ages were not provided, will appear at the Connecticut Superior Court for Juvenile Matters in Waterford Oct. 25.

The water company said water tampering is an act of terror.

Police say they are looking "to speak with additional witnesses." The paint seen on the buildings does not appear to be graffiti-style tagging, rather random spraying or throwing of blue and yellow paint.

A total of three SCWA buildings were vandalized.

Back on Sept. 20, the water company took to Facebook to display images of vandalism at its East Drive station said to have been from Sept. 15 and Sept. 19.

Then, on the 23rd, a new alert: a "Do Not Drink the Water Notice and Conservation Notice."

By now, the SCWA said, three pumphouses were broken into and vandalized. The water authority said it did not appear that the "water distribution system and equipment" were tampered with, but they said they were nonetheless "shutting down that system until samples can be taken and we receive verification the water is fine."

Then, the state Department of Health said to issue the "do not drink the water" notice: "Because the pumphouse that was vandalized is our largest in the Tower system we are asking that all Tower customers conserve water until that system is back on-line."

One person commented on Facebook, "Teenagers pooping in the water supply. Story old as time. Sad, but it happens. REMEMBER TO SHUT OFF YOUR ICE MAKERS. Really, take no chances."

By Tuesday night, lab test results of the water showed safe levels for bacteria so the water ban was lifted.

Meanwhile, as police investigating, the SCWA said that it was "cooperating with the Ledyard Police and federal authorities to apprehend the perpetrators. Tampering with a water system is a federal offense and can be prosecuted as an act of terrorism."

Federal law does prohibit tampering with water supplies. It's not clear if the water supply was itself tampered with. Police said initially that a pumping station building was "breached," however.

It's not clear if federal charges will be brought.

On Facebook, Ledyard Police thanked "the many members of our community who have offered information in an effort to resolve this situation."