KINGFIELD — On Jan. 31 vandals opened a fire hydrant near the Lord’s Bridge on Route 27. As a result, the Kingfield Water District lost nearly 80,000 gallons from its reservoir. It also cost them in terms of labor in pumping down and thawing out the hydrant to prevent it from freezing and bursting lines. Crews from the Kingfield Fire Department and State were also dispatched to prevent serious public harm.

Crews were faced with minus 12-degree temperatures as water flooded the road at about 2,800 gallons per minute.

Maine Public Safety Spokesman Stephen McCausland said that State Trooper Aaron Turcotte responded and eventually arrested and charged Michael Jordan (19) of Kingfield with Tampering.

Another young man is also sought McCausland explained, but left the state before he was questioned. Officials say he is expected to return sometime soon at which time he will be charged. Turcotte will continue with the investigation and follow up as needed, McCausland said.

This is the third time this has happened over the past year —all at the same hydrant, Kingfield Water District Superintendent Alan Stewart noted.

Stewart said they were fortunate to have responded to the Jan. 31 incident quickly. The previous ones put the town at high risk.

In one incident, the town lost nearly 600,000 gallons of water and was left with only one foot of water in its half million-gallon reservoir, Steward said in a statement.

“It took us three days to recoup our reserves. If I had been 20 minutes later, there would have been no water left in the public water supply for the town of Kingfield,” Stewart explained.

“That leaves the town with zero fire protection had there been a fire during that time.”

Stewart said that pumping at that excessive rate could cause contamination; it could cause serious damage to pipes and could cause very serious and costly repair.

On Jan. 31, the road became glare ice as a result of the high volume of water and frigid temps and was a hazard to motorists. One vehicle was reported damaged as a result.

“The danger that this creates to innocent passengers as well as those who responded proves that this is an irresponsible act, childish and a thoughtless act,” said Kingfield Fire Chief Chuck Twitchell. “Anytime you’re dealing with temperatures as cold as it was, and dealing with water there’s the potential threat of hypothermia” in responders.

“Tampering with Water District property puts fear and insecurities in the customers and community it serves and is considered an act of terrorism,” Stewart wrote in his statement. “US Code Title 42, section 300i-1 states that tampering with a water utility is a federal offense. The new anti-terrorism law has encompassed Water Districts and it states that people caught tampering with Water Districts are considered terrorizing and face a $1 million fine and 15 years in jail. It is serious,” Stewart said.

“This is a huge act of public irresponsibility. The hydrants are there for a reason and a purpose,” McCausland said. “And we all know what that is.”

“This is a rare occurrence, it’s irresponsible and I can’t recall where it’s ever really happened before in the state. Hydrants are pretty sacred and off limits in most all communities ... people tend to leave them alone and respect why they are there,” McCausland said.