The State of Texas has a law which makes tampering with meters or District equipment illegal and establishes penalties for violations. Penalties are prescribed for the following acts:
- Interfering with the meter seal, the lock/locking device, curb stop or valves, meter setter, meter box, meter vault, or bypassing a water meter.
- Knowingly consuming any water which has not been correctly registered on the meter because of tampering.
- Reconnecting water service that has been disconnected or shut-off by the District for nonpayment or other reasons.
- Knowingly consuming any water which has been unlawfully reconnected.
Anyone found guilty of these illegal acts may be subject to a tampering fine. Proof that a meter, pipe, valve, or other attachment has been tampered with or reconnected is presumptive evidence that the customer or user has caused the tampering or reconnecting. It is not necessary to catch a person in the act of tampering or reconnecting.