Longmont has seen an increase in backflow preventer theft from public parks and private businesses. According to Longmont Public Safety (LPS), at least 24 of the devices have been stolen from public parks and at least five local businesses have reported thefts.
A state law passed in 2024 requires the city to install these backflow preventers in city parks and other places. The cost of a single backflow preventer can be between $2,000 to$10,000, depending on the material, design, and diameter.
Copper and brass are valuable and can be taken to a scrap yard for money, or the valves can be used for other plumbing projects in the city. “The other possibility [for the theft] is that since the need for them is much higher under the new state law, and there is a delay in getting them due to need, they are stealing them and installing them to continue their work,” LPS said.
The public is being asked to watch for suspicious activity near backflow preventers and provide tips to the Longmont Police at (303) 651-8555 and reference Case #25–1436. “We feel that we have now made the public aware that someone is stealing money that belongs to the community, and there are 100,000 extra eyes now watching,” LPS said.
The City of Glendale, Arizona issued a document with more details about backflow preventer theft and tips for preventing it. The document states that scrap metal value typically ranges from $40 to $100 for units that cost $1,200 to $2,000 to replace. Glendale suggests painting the backflow preventer to decrease the scrap metal value of the unit and locking or concealing the unit to prevent theft.
D&M Manufacturing is a California company that produces anti-theft devices and enclosures for this purpose. On the company’s blog, it says that theft can occur in broad daylight in less than two minutes. Thieves can wear orange vests to look like they are working for the city and cutting the valve off at the pipes.
