Wave of water meter thefts in Cuenca: recommendations from ETAPA

Cuenca is experiencing a surge in water meter thefts, causing widespread concern among residents. In the last three months, several thefts have been reported in both residential and commercial properties. One of the most recent incidents occurred on November 15, at the Misioneras de María Corredentora, where thieves stole five meters and damaged several water pipes. The theft was discovered when neighbors noticed water leakage, prompting them to alert the religious group.

Other incidents include a theft on November 6, where seven meters were stolen from a location on Pío Bravo and Presidente Borrero streets, and another theft on November 7, where eight meters were taken from a property on Simón Bolívar and Miguel Vélez streets.

Marizta Tapia, a victim of one such theft, reported the crime to the Azuay Prosecutor’s Office and provided security footage showing the perpetrators—three men wearing hoodies, carrying backpacks, and removing the meters with remarkable ease. Tapia suspects that these thieves may be operating under the direction of someone with the intention of selling the stolen meters, and has urged local police to increase patrols during the night when these thefts typically occur.

Carlos Cajilema, a meter reader for ETAPA EP, emphasized that the stolen meters are uniquely coded to individual users, making them unusable elsewhere. Each meter is registered with a customer account number and is not reusable by anyone else. New meters cost about $130, and victims must purchase them to restore their water service.

In response, ETAPA EP has launched a campaign advising property owners to take additional security measures, such as installing metal boxes or grids around meters, and to verify the identity of meter readers. ETAPA EP also encourages reporting thefts immediately through their branches or the direct line 188.

The thefts are driven by the high value of the metals in the meters, particularly copper and, to a lesser extent, bronze. These materials are in high demand for manufacturing cables, machinery parts, and other industrial products. The stolen materials can be easily sold at scrap yards or recycling centers without proper checks on their origin. Authorities are also investigating the possibility that stolen meters are being resold in neighboring cantons. Municipalities and community water organizations are on alert.