Marijuana farmers blamed for water theft as drought grips American west

California official: Water stealing has never been more severe'

Water taken from hydrants, homes, rivers and wells

Extreme and prolonged drought in the American west is prompting water thieves to tap into other people's scarce supplies.

More than 12bn gallons of water have been stolen in California in the past eight years, according to state officials, but the issue has been further exacerbated by the ongoing drought and recent searing early summer heatwaves.