What distinguishes a water thief from a wye fitting?

A water thief is specifically designed to allow multiple hoses to be connected to a single water source, while also being able to draw water from various outlets. The distinctive feature of a water thief is that it typically has one or more large outlets (usually 2 1/2 inch) that allow for high volumes of water flow, making it suitable for connecting to larger hoses or for high-demand situations.

In contrast, a wye fitting usually has two or more outlets but is designed primarily for splitting a single water supply into several lines without the same volume capacity as a water thief. Hence, the presence of a 2 1/2 outlet is a key characteristic that differentiates a water thief fitting from a wye fitting, as the water thief is optimized for higher flow rates and larger diameter lines.

The other options, such as the number of outlets, size of the opening, and material construction, might vary depending on specific products, but the significant identifying feature that aligns with the question is the 2 1/2 outlet that defines the water thief fitting’s capability for high-volume delivery.