> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.citizenjournal.us/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# McPherson Adds Theft-of-Water Offense With Fines Up to $5,000
- URL: https://www.citizenjournal.us/mcpherson-adds-theft-of-water-offense-with-fines-up-to-5-000/
- Published: 2026-09-18T11:50:32.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-18T11:50:32.000Z
- Description: Ordinance No. 3470 adopts the 2026 municipal offense code and creates a local water-theft offense
- Author: Sarah Newberry
- Tags: mcj, dnn, #news

Sign up for our free newsletter and never miss a story.

[Sign up free](https://subscribe.citizenjournal.us/?ref=citizenjournal.us)

MCPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson City Commission adopted the 2026 Uniform Public Offense Code for Kansas Cities on Tuesday, Sept. 15, adding a local theft-of-water offense carrying a fine of $1,000 to $5,000\. Ordinance No. 3470 identifies theft of water as an unclassified misdemeanor. Its new Section 6.4.1 states that without prior written authorization from the McPherson Board of Public Utilities, a person may not take water from the city distribution system without paying or connect to the system without installing a backflow preventer, and that a mistake about ownership of a water tap or part of the system is not a defense.

*This article was written using our proprietary AI system, Cronkite. The final decision to publish this article was made by a human. For more info, read our* [*AI policy*](https://www.citizenjournal.us/ai-policy/)*.*

---

---

Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:

[Contact Us](https://www.citizenjournal.us/contact/)

---