Water theft is illegal tapping of water supply systems. Together with losses from water leaks in the piping, water theft is one of the major factors contributing to non-revenue water. Thames Water estimated losses by theft to amount to 2 to 3 million litres (660,000 imp gal; 790,000 US gal) per year in 2017, flowing through 734 unauthorized connections.[1] The basic controversy, however, of whether there can be such a thing as water theft (by individuals and for personal use, that is), is open.[2]