We've Sprung a Leak! 400 Faucets Stolen from Iowa State Fair

March 18, 2011— -- The Iowa State Fair is facing a leaky situation – 400 faucets have been stolen from the campgrounds.

Fairground officers called the Des Moines Police on Thursday, after they learned faucets were being taken over the course of two weeks. The brass faucets are designed for easy hook up to campers and RVs.

"We don't know if they're wrenching them off or exactly how they're getting them off," said Sgt. Chris Scott, of the Des Moines Police Department.

The faucets are also heavy, which may explain their gradual disappearance.

"[Someone] couldn't come over there and carry four hundred of them away," said Scott.

If unrecovered, replacing the stolen faucets will cost the fair at least $12,000; each faucet costs $30 to install, according to police.

Representatives from the Iowa State Fair Grounds said the fair will continue as planned, and that the prices will remain unchanged.

The fair opens August 11, and runs for ten days.