Suzieq
Veteran Member
*FREMONT, Calif. -- Enough water to supply 500 homes for one year spilled into San Francisco Bay on Thursday after vandals damaged a water district dam in Fremont, officials said.
The loss of 49 million gallons of water began sometime Thursday morning, when an inflatable dam on Alameda Creek was destroyed. Alameda County Water District, which maintains the dam, reported it to police at 11:30 a.m.
"This is a very significant loss of water under any circumstances, and more so in the drought conditions we are experiencing," said ACWD General Manager Robert Shaver. "It is an utterly senseless, destructive and wasteful thing to do."
Police said the felony vandalism was an intentional act, but as of Friday afternoon had no suspects and were not exactly sure how it was damaged. The dam is in a restricted area, authorities said.
Because of its age, the district was already working to replace the dam, officials said. It was built in 1971 and is one of two dams ACWD controls.
The water was to eventually be used by residents and businesses in Fremont, Newark and Union City, the water district said. ACWD supplies water to some 340,000 people in southern Alameda County. The district estimated the 49 million gallons, or 150 acre-feet of water, is enough to supply the needs of 500 homes for one year.
"While the water loss was substantial, the district does not believe it will have a long-term impact on its water supply operations," according to a district statement.
Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to contact Fremont police Detective A. Ceniceros at 510-790-6900 or email Aceniceros@fremont.gov.
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http://www.mercurynews.com/drought/ci_28174594/vandals-damage-dam-nearly-50-million-gallons-water