Thieves stealing water as Stanthorpe battles drought crisis

Water restrictions will be tightened to 'critical' level in Stanthorpe next week, where water is so scarce some residents have resorted to stealing it.

From next week, council has ruled locals will only be allowed to use 100 litres of water per person per day.

And with no rain forecast for the Darling Downs until at least Christmas, people are becoming desperate.

"In the past few weeks, we've had four instances of water theft reported within the Stanthorpe and Warwick area, all of which are currently under investigation," Gerard Brody from the Queensland Police Service said.

"The offenders can expect to be prosecuted."

Paul Mengotti told 9News thieves drove a water truck onto his property in the middle of the night and stole thousands of litres from his tanks.

"[They] popped the man hole covers and pumped out somewhere between seven and ten thousand litres," he said.

He has now been forced to start buying water.

"At the moment we're lucky to be able to get it, because nobody really knows what's going to happen if the town starts to run out of water later in the year," Mr Mengotti said.

Authorities have vowed not to let the town run dry, but trucking in water to the region will cost at least $1 million per month.

Residents who are desperate have been urged to ask for help.

"If you are desperate and you can't afford to buy water, please come and speak to council," deputy mayor Jo McNally said.