ST. GEORGE – More than $1,000 in damage was caused Sunday night as vandals illegally trespassed into the Quail Creek Hydropower Plant, a facility owned and operated by the Washington County Water Conservancy District.  The vandals climbed over a 6-foot, razor wire fence and used a variety of tools to force open a locked, steel industrial door.  The district believes the vandals were searching for copper.  The operational equipment, including computer systems and tools, was not removed or damaged.

“The increased regularity of theft and vandalism at our facilities is troubling,” said Ron Thompson, general manager of the WCWCD.  “It’s even more disconcerting to know this was a premeditated effort that required select tools and skills to secure access to one of our core, multi-million dollar facilities – damage to which could have cost Washington County taxpayers millions of dollars.”

Increased security measures will immediately be implemented at district facilities, the details of which will not be disclosed.  In addition, the district has an outstanding $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals committing acts of vandalism and theft at district properties – the result of a previous incident of vandalism that occurred less than a month ago at the district’s Southern Utah Water Conservation Garden.

“We’re doing our best to secure the facilities that serve, and are funded by, Washington County residents,” said Thompson.  “We invite the community to join us in our efforts to eradicate this type of behavior – report leads or suspicious activity to the police and be our eyes and ears in the community.  Every little bit helps.”

Submitted by: Washington County Water Conservancy District

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