# Water meter thefts in Brazil

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/water-meter-thefts-in-brazil
> Updated: 2026-11-02T22:01:07.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Water meter thefts have seen significant increases in different Brazilian municipalities during 2026. In Cotia, São Paulo, Sabesp reported a 266 percent surge in thefts during the first half of the year, with 392 occurrences compared to 107 in the same period of 2025. These thefts, often motivated by the illegal trade of brass alloys, cause financial losses and environmental issues, such as water leaks of up to 100 liters per hour.

Similarly, in Porto Alegre, the Municipal Department of Water and Sewage (Dmae) reported a 12 percent increase in thefts during the third quarter of 2026. For the first nine months of the year, 505 cases were recorded, a 15 percent rise over the previous year. Officials noted that these thefts disrupt water supplies for residents and impact public administration revenue.

## Timeline

### 2026-11-02: Dmae reports increase in water meter thefts in Porto Alegre

Dmae reports a 12 percent increase in water meter thefts in Porto Alegre during the third quarter of 2026, driven by the resale value of metal alloys.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dmae-reports-increase-in-water-meter-thefts-in-porto-alegre

### 2026-10-15: Cotia water meter thefts surge 266% in first half of 2026

Water meter thefts in Cotia, Brazil, surged by 266% in the first half of 2026, significantly outpacing the growth rate seen across the state of São Paulo.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cotia-water-meter-thefts-surge-266-in-first-half-of-2026

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Cite as: Water meter thefts in Brazil. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/water-meter-thefts-in-brazil