Open tap causes basement flood

A Marion resident’s outside water faucet was turned on for as long as 12 hours overnight, causing extensive damage to the homeowner’s property.

Mark Hall, 1205 Maple St., reported the incident March 30.

Marion police estimated the flooding caused $6,800 worth of damage to carpet and padding, and $1,800 worth of damage to office equipment. A cordless drill and charger, camping bedding, and a paper shredder were damaged.

Interim police chief Duane McCarty said the incident was not the first time such vandalism had taken place.

“I had another faucet turned on last summer at a house, but no report was made because owner didn’t want one,” McCarty said.

In that incident, the homeowner’s back yard flooded and water ran into the alley.

“I walked through the back yard through about six inches of water,” he said. “The faucet was turned on full blast.”

If faucets are turned on by a vandal, homeowners are not responsible to pay the water, city officials said.