Water theft deterent

[Potstubsdustbins]

Most drain dye are non toxic with a range of colours, you can even get test pads which would reveal the container/watering can used.

[Bluenowhere]

To go the full undercover how about the dye that shows up under uv light. Then a night forey around with said uv light to find the plot glowing blue. Lasts a fair while even after the water spreads out as it is used for trace and access of leaks. Also would be difficult for the miscrent to explain away.

[DWSmith]

Almost like a cctv but I'd use what I call a game camera or trail camera and put it in a somewhat hidden location. Then you can review the photos on the SD card now and then. You can get pictures day or night with them.

[Snoop Puss]

Could it even be homeless people using the water for a quick wash?

Would you find a deterrent sufficient? If so, rather than lots of high-tech solutions, it might be cheaper and just as effective to add cheap food-safe dye and put notices on the barrels warning that dye has been added to identify the culprits.

[4Shoes]

If the concern is that someone will steal the water "you have carted to the plot" why not

a. Put the water straight onto the plants

b. Put your emergency water is a locked shed.

It is never going to be a satisfactory solution, but lets hope rain returns soon and problem will stop

if it is to identify who is "At IT" then photo evidence it has to be and a pair DM's

[Baldy]

My water hasn't been stolen. My water capture has pretty much been good. My plot literally furthest from entrance.
Someone is stealing it from multiple plots. I'm on the plot committee trying to figure out a solution.
We've come up with some fairly scarey signs! (I didn't make that meeting as the footy was on)
If it was being stolen from me I have a mixture of ocd/determination/randomness/binoculars that I sudpect would catch the buggers.

[Miss Mousetrousers]

Could you get a small chain and a padlock and twist it round the tap lever, or use the same to hold a plug inserted in the outlet pipe? A sign saying "Sterilisation in progress. Do not use"?

[Billy's lad]

drain dye , couple of quid from most merchants

[4Shoes]

Chinese whispers... Start a rumour that something happened. Tell a few trusted "none committee" members and it will then be true. Perhaps conflicting rumours so that one must be true .


Remember a good lie will have elements of truth in it

[jackarmy]

Comfrey???
You might be able to smell the thieves!

Funnily enough i had half a barrel of comfrey tea swiped the other day lol, trouble is my whole plot stinks of it

[keat63]

Organic or not.
Glyphosate will show you who the culprit is.

lol