Cotia water meter thefts surge 266% in first half of 2026

Water meter thefts in Cotia, São Paulo, increased by approximately 266% during the first half of 2026. According to data from Sabesp, the municipality recorded 392 thefts between January and June, compared to 107 occurrences during the same period in the previous year.

This growth rate in Cotia exceeds the average increase seen across the entire state of São Paulo, where thefts rose by 74.7%, from 13,579 to 23,724 in the same interval. The thefts are often driven by the illegal metal trade, as many traditional meters are made of brass, a copper and zinc alloy.

Beyond the financial impact of replacing equipment, which costs an average of R$ 100 per unit, the thefts cause significant environmental issues. Sabesp reports that a stolen meter can lead to water leaks resulting in losses of up to 100 liters per hour.